Charted in 1870 to promote education in modern languages and the physical sciences, Syracuse University has evolved to become an academically-diverse institution with a contemporary vision. Committed to delivering accessibility and professional relevance, Syracuse offers a variety of online course offerings as well as graduate-level degrees that are entirely online.
Quick Facts About SU
- Syracuse University is a private, chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
- Syracuse’s graduate business program is ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
- Syracuse University is committed to Scholarship in Action, the idea that higher education plays a fundamental role in solving community problems and making a difference.
How Many Students Attend Syracuse University?
21,789 students were enrolled in Syracuse University in 2015. Of these students, 15,196 were enrolled in undergraduate courses. 55% of the undergrad student body was female and 45% was male. At this time, 96% of the undergraduate class was enrolled in full-time studies, and 4% in part-time.
It’s important to note that undergraduates at SU usually fit the traditional college image. 97% of students are 24 years old or younger. But, 3% of undergrads are adult learners that are 25 years or older.
Some undergraduate students chose to supplement their campus coursework with online classes. 4% of undergrads took part in some distance education.
The remaining 6,593 students were enrolled in graduate courses at SU. 72% of graduate students attended classes full-time, while 28% did so part-time. Of these students, 12% pursued their degree completely online. Another 5% would take some distance education courses as part of their curriculum.i
Syracuse University Admissions
Students applying to Syracuse University online programs apply the same way traditional, campus-based students do. To begin, you could apply to undergraduate programs at SU using the common application. As part of this, you may be asked to supply the following as part of their application.
- High school transcript
- SAT or ACT scores
- Secondary school counselor evaluation
- Academic recommendations
While not required, students are recommended to complete the following amounts of college preparatory curriculum.
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of science
- 4 years of social studies
- 4 years of mathematics
- 3 years of a foreign language
Syracuse offers separate, online applications for graduate students. These applications aim to assess both your academic and professional standing. As part of this process, you may be asked to provide the following.
- Official undergraduate transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume
For more information about program specific materials, speak with department faculty.
In addition, some programs may request supplemental materials. Depending on your desired degree program, you could be asked to supply the following.
- Portfolio
- Writing Sample
- GRE scores
Students may also be asked to provide military transcripts with their application to both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Syracuse University Acceptance Rate
Syracuse University has an acceptance rate of 48%. 33,254 students applied to Syracuse in the fall of 2015. SU accepted 48% of male applicants and 49% of female. Of those admitted, 22% would go on to fully enroll in classes.i
Syracuse University Online Programs
Syracuse University allows students to work towards select degrees in a flexible online format.
- The iSchool at Syracuse University offers online graduate degrees and certificates in Information Studies to help working professionals pursue enhanced career opportunities.
- Syracuse University’s L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science (LCS) mission is to advance and promote learning in engineering and computer science through the integration of teaching, research, scholarship, creative achievements, and service.
- Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management offers an Online MBA that waives the GMAT score for qualifying students.
- Credits earned from online courses may be applied to a degree from Syracuse or to a degree from another college or university, at the discretion of each institution.
- Syracuse guides eligible students through the process of applying for financial aid, scholarships, and other tuition assistance.
- The Veteran’s Resource Center at Syracuse University offers opportunities and support for veterans as they plan for the future.
Financial Aid at SU
73% of full-time, beginning undergraduate student receive some form of financial aid to help them afford their education. 68% of these students were awarded grants or scholarships. The following list shows the sources of students’ grants and scholarships, as well as the median amount provided.
- Federal grants, $5,360
- State and local government grants and scholarships, $3,281
- Institutional grants or scholarships, $26,092
54% of students also received student loans. Students who took out loans typically received a median amount of $9,137. These were awarded via federal and other loan sources.i
Financial Aid for graduate students is primarily in the form of federal loans.
To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Syracuse University Graduate Financial Aid Application. For entering students, this becomes available after you are officially admitted to your certificate program.
For students entering Syracuse University during the summer, your fall/spring financial aid will not be available until mid-July. You may use our Loan Eligibility Worksheet to estimate your financial aid for the academic year.
About the SU Faculty
In 2015, Syracuse University employed 1,147 full-time and 569 part-time faculty members. This means there’s a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
93% of full-time and 98% of part-time faculty are devoted solely on instruction. This means their focus is on teaching classes and working with students. For students attending Syracuse University online classes, this could be important. Since the majority of professors are dedicated to instructing, they could receive individualized attention from their professors that could potentially enhance their digital learning experience.
The remaining faculty members conduct research and public service works on campus. While they may not be teaching classes, students could still become involved with these projects. Research faculty may often recruit students to assist their endeavors. Students could work in real-world scenarios in their field and possibly gain real-world professional experience.
Students should also be aware that there are graduate assistant (GA) positions available. SU employed 1,152 graduate assistants in fall 2015. Of those GAs, 833 were instructional positions and 319 were research positions.i
Syracuse University Accreditation
Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The accrediting agency is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As part of this accreditation, SU may be required to self-evaluate its academic programs. Findings are then peer reviewed for compliance by the Commission.
In addition, the Syracuse University online iSchool is accredited by the American Library Association.
Syracuse University Online: The Details
Syracuse university online programs want to assert that they’re more of the “same.” The same professors, degrees, and curriculum that is! SU works to ensure that its online students have access to the same materials and coursework its campus-based students do.
Besides your education being near-identical what’s offered in the physical classroom, SU also provides students access to supportive services. For instance, online students may be able to work with SU’s Career Services. Having access to these facilities could not only aid students’ educational development, post their professional life after graduation.
The iSchool primarily offers 100% online Syracuse University graduate programs. These are offered at the masters and certificate of advanced study (CAS) levels. During your time at SU, you could choose to pursue some of the following programs.
It’s important to note that the iSchool has a limited required residency. Translated, this means that students might be required to meet on campus for one week prior to starting classes. This time acts as way to help students become familiar with the online web portal. Please note that residency is only required during your first year at SU.
In addition, the Syracuse is a founding member of the Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) Consortium and a member of the Online Learning Consortium (previously the Sloan Consortium).
Online Masters in Library & Information Science Program
The Syracuse University online masters program in library and information sciences develops students’ data organization abilities. Classes focus on enhancing students’ understanding of technological and library research to better serve a community. To do this, courses could include topics such as data librarianship, archival materials, system management, and public service.
During your masters program, you could have a chance to take some of the following classes.
- Information Architecture for Internet Services
- Mobile Network Services
- Technologies in Web Content Management
- Reference and Information Literary Services
- Data Mining
- Knowledge Management
- Collection Development and Access
Course offerings may change by year and semester. Be sure to speak with department faculty for more information about available courses.
To complete this program, students make be asked to take 36 credit hours of classes. Students could potentially earn an MS in information science in two years depending on enrollment.
Graduating From SU
91% of full-time, first-time students who began their studies at SU in fall 2009 graduate within 150% of their “normal time” of completion. 78% of male students and 84% of female students did so within this time period.
To better illustrate this, 68% of students pursuing their bachelors earned a degree in 4 years. Out of the remaining students, 81% would earn their degree in 6 years. This number does not include students who transferred to SU or began their academic career part-time.i
Syracuse University Online May Be a Few Clicks Away!
Using this information as a guide, you might be ready to start your search for a perfect online program at Syracuse University. The supportive online faculty and comprehensive degree programs could be exactly what you need to jump back into your education. And, its student services could help ensure you stay motivated until graduation!
While you’re here, check out a few potential SU programs using the tabs on this page. For more information about a particular degree program, click the link. This could provide details about admissions requirements, course descriptions, and more. For any additional information, don’t hesitate to speak with an admissions adviser. Good luck!
[i] nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=syracuse+university&s=all&id=196413
