Syracuse University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Syracuse University charges a net price of $38,793/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $155,172. Graduates earn a median $79,164 ten years after entry, $30,804/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5 years — a 20-year net return of $460,908, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Syracuse University's 5-year payback ranks #430 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 66% of them, and #51 of 203 in New York.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $38,793/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $155,172 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $79,164 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $30,804/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $460,908 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Syracuse University's own numbers. Net price $38,793 × 4 years = $155,172 total. Median earnings $79,164 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $30,804 a year of premium. $155,172 ÷ $30,804 = 5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $460,908. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Syracuse University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $79,164 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Syracuse University students graduate?
84% finish their degree. Spread the $155,172 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $184,729 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Syracuse University expensive compared with other New York colleges?
Its $38,793 net price runs $19,880 above the $18,913 median across the 203 New York colleges we profile, or $79,520 more across the full degree.