Head-to-Head Comparison
Quinnipiac University vs Syracuse University
- Quinnipiac Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 12
- Syracuse Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Syracuse University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $38,793 vs Quinnipiac University's $40,675, Syracuse University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Syracuse University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $79,164 at ten years.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Quinnipiac
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $83,759 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Syracuse University
Syracuse
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,793, roughly $1,882 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 82% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 46% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Quinnipiac graduates concentrate in Health Professions (35% of degrees); Syracuse in Social Sciences (13%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Quinnipiac University over Syracuse University. Median earnings of $83,759 ten years after enrollment vs $79,164.
Pick Syracuse University over Quinnipiac University. Net price $38,793 vs $40,675.
Pick Syracuse University over Quinnipiac University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Syracuse University over Quinnipiac University. 82% completion rate vs 77%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Quinnipiac University and Syracuse University are close on paper, but Syracuse University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Syracuse University is the harder admit. It takes 46% of applicants, while Quinnipiac University takes 72%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,242 to 1,375.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Syracuse University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Syracuse University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,793, about $1,882 a year below Quinnipiac University's $40,675.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $7,528 before any change in aid. Choosing Syracuse University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Quinnipiac University graduates report median earnings of $83,759, compared with $79,164 at Syracuse University. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Quinnipiac University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.31x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Syracuse University graduates a larger share of its students, 82% versus 77%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Syracuse University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Quinnipiac University, it is 0.9%. Syracuse University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Syracuse University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Syracuse University to keep costs and debt down; pick Quinnipiac University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Syracuse University saves about $1,882 a year, yet Quinnipiac University graduates earn $4,595 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Quinnipiac University concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Psychology, while Syracuse University leans toward Social Sciences, Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Quinnipiac competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Business and consulting-track students: Syracuse University has less business program depth, and Quinnipiac University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Syracuse University's enrollment of 15,477 far exceeds Quinnipiac University's 6,531.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit
Quinnipiac University serves over 6,500 students, with a graduation rate of 77%. This indicates a strong support system helping students to complete their degrees. The university maintains a 72% acceptance rate, making it a viable option for many applicants seeking a private education.
The earning potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $83,759 ten years after graduation. While the specifics on mobility and economic connectedness are not provided, the solid earnings indicate that many graduates find success in their fields. The university's focus on health professions, business, and communications aligns well with job market demands.
Financially, students face a net price of $40,675, and the median student debt stands at $26,000. This suggests that while the cost of attendance is significant, many graduates are able to manage their debt effectively thanks to their earning potential. Quinnipiac attracts students who thrive in collaborative and career-oriented environments, particularly in programs like health professions and business.
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit
With nearly 15,500 students, Syracuse University creates a vibrant community for those interested in fields like Communications, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 46% means it's fairly selective, but there's a good chance for dedicated applicants to find their place here. The strong graduation rate of 82% speaks to the supportive environment designed to help students succeed, both academically and personally.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an impressive average of $79,164 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of earning potential highlights the value of the programs here, especially for those who dive into in-demand fields. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some affordability challenges, the outcomes suggest that many graduates move up the economic ladder, benefiting from the skills and networks developed during their time at Syracuse.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid sits at $38,793, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $26,000 is reasonable for many students, especially when weighed against their post-graduation salaries. Those who thrive here tend to be driven, engaged in campus life, and ready to take advantage of the resources available, setting them up for future success in their careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Quinnipiac University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Quinnipiac's top program is Nursing (BSN) (35% of enrollment), while Syracuse leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Quinnipiac) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Syracuse).
The two schools feed different job markets. Quinnipiac University is strongest in Health Professions, Psychology, while Syracuse University concentrates in Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Quinnipiac University or Syracuse University?
Syracuse University is harder to get into, admitting 46% of applicants compared with 72% at Quinnipiac University.
Which is more affordable, Quinnipiac University or Syracuse University?
Syracuse University is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,793 after aid versus $40,675 at Quinnipiac University.
Do Quinnipiac University or Syracuse University graduates earn more?
Quinnipiac University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,759 ten years after enrollment, versus $79,164 at Syracuse University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Quinnipiac University or Syracuse University?
Syracuse University has the higher graduation rate, 82% versus 77%.
Quinnipiac University vs Syracuse University: which is better for social mobility?
Syracuse University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Quinnipiac University or Syracuse University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Syracuse University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Quinnipiac University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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