Head-to-Head Comparison
Syracuse University vs University of Connecticut
- Syracuse Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 11
- Connecticut Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,097 vs Syracuse University's $38,793, University of Connecticut delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Connecticut's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Syracuse
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $79,164 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than University of Connecticut
- 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
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #177
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $13,696 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Syracuse graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); Connecticut 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 Syracuse University over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $79,164 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Syracuse University. Net price $25,097 vs $38,793.
Pick Syracuse University over University of Connecticut. THE World Rank #177 vs #251-275.
Pick Syracuse University over University of Connecticut. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.7%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Syracuse University and University of Connecticut split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Syracuse University is the harder admit. It takes 46% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,375 to 1,348.
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, University of Connecticut comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,097, about $13,696 a year below Syracuse University's $38,793. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $54,784 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Connecticut leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Syracuse University graduates report median earnings of $79,164, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Connecticut has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.29x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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.
Moving people up
Syracuse University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at University of Connecticut, it is 1.7%. Syracuse University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.7%.
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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Syracuse University sits higher, at #177 versus #251.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Connecticut to keep costs and debt down; pick Syracuse 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. University of Connecticut saves about $13,696 a year, yet Syracuse University graduates earn $5,167 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. Syracuse University concentrates enrollment in Communications, while University of Connecticut leans toward Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $38,793 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $21,500 at University of Connecticut.
No strong negative signals — Connecticut competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Connecticut offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Syracuse does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
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.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 13% of Syracuse's student body and 13% of Connecticut's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Syracuse) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Syracuse University is strongest in Communications, Visual & Performing Arts, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Health Professions, Engineering. 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.
Syracuse
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Syracuse University or University of Connecticut?
Syracuse University is harder to get into, admitting 46% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Syracuse University or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $38,793 at Syracuse University.
Do Syracuse University or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Syracuse University graduates earn more: median earnings of $79,164 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Syracuse University or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 82%.
Syracuse University vs University of Connecticut: which is better for social mobility?
Syracuse University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.7%.
Should you choose Syracuse University or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Syracuse 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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