Syracuse University issues financial warning as admissions slump: We’re in the red

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like ND but it will always be in the rear view mirror of Duke. With respect to Syracuse, live in a wealthy full pay suburb and never see a Syracuse decal. Kids that don’t have the grades and top scores are going to Clemson, Bama, Ole Miss etc. Lots of those decals on Range Rovers etc. No interest in SU and upstate NY snowmelt.

I don't think ND and Duke have much in common at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like ND but it will always be in the rear view mirror of Duke. With respect to Syracuse, live in a wealthy full pay suburb and never see a Syracuse decal. Kids that don’t have the grades and top scores are going to Clemson, Bama, Ole Miss etc. Lots of those decals on Range Rovers etc. No interest in SU and upstate NY snowmelt.

Nah.

Notre Dame is special.

Duke can't hold a candle to ND.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC just turned down Syracuse this cycle. It was in their top 3.

We loved it when we visited, and the business school was very impressive. Required kids to have internships to graduate, and kids were all doing a capstone presentation when we visited. Beautiful campus, although the city is run down.

But we absolutely could not justify the cost. Syracuse offered $20k merit originally and then another $5k off, but that still made it $72k/year and that was just for freshman year. Tuition has been going up $5k/year.

Notice I did not say we couldn’t pay the cost, we just didn’t find it to be worth it, relative to the other options.

DC’s older sibling is at an SEC school with a scholarship where the tuition is the same as our in state public. But DC didn’t want to go South.

DCs other options were between $40-55k all in. They are very happy to have saved $100-$150k, and they will likely have the same outcome after undergrad.

Tennesse and Virginia Tech require their business students to have an internship to graduate, even if they are doing ROTC with all of its summer commitments.

Syracuse requiring interships from business majors is not unique or unusual. It's just how business schools are these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, tons of kids from nyc suburbs go to Syracuse, have the best 4 years, and are very successful afterward. It’s a very common scenario! And it’s not just Newhouse. The education is good, the experience is good, they don’t mind the weather. I’m trying to think of what a similar private school 3 hours from the dc area would be. But yeah it’s the price. Some of those families can easily pay but the ones who can’t have cheaper state school options.

There are very few schools who are positioned like Syracuse-- mid-sized enrollment, moderately selective, longstanding top tier programs (Newhouse, Falk, Maxwell), large deeply loyal alumni base, winning athletic tradition, national brand, and strong school spirit. What are the comparable schools? SMU? There are a host of schools that come close but are more selective-Villanova, USC, BC, and Miami. Syracuse has a strong niche. There is no death spiral here

Yes, it's expensive but for a student who wants smaller class sizes and a relatively more intimate environment it may be worth the money.

I wrote the post you’re responding to and I totally agree with you. I really like Syracuse. My daughter applied and would have been happy there. She would not have been happy at most state schools. It’s a good fit for lots of kids!

State schools suck. I guess they're ok if you're broke. But they have decaying infrastructure, overcrowded everything, insufficient housing, huge classes, difficulty registering for classes, classes taught by TAs, and worst of all, you're surrounded by plebs. Syracuse offers a much superior experience to those who can afford it.

Stare schools had the best infastructure of the schools we looked at.

The private schools except for Northwestern and Notre Dame were either falling apart, or in run down northeastern half abandoned towns, or both.

Heck, one of the state schools even had a lazy river and tiki juice bar through its pool complex.

You are clearly not visiting anywhere midwest or south if you think state schools are run down and private schools are in great shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"In an email to staff and faculty, Chancellor Mike Haynie said SU did not hit its undergraduate enrollment target for next year. As a result the school will not bring in enough revenue to cover its spending.

“This a moment for urgency and purpose — not panic. Universities that respond with focused, strategic effort will emerge stronger. Those that do not will find their options narrowing," Haynie said in the email. “I am committed to ensuring Syracuse is in the former category.”

https://www.syracuse.com/syracuse-



university/2026/06/syracuse-university-issues-financial-warning-as-admissions-slump-were-in-the-red.html


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A lot of these types of colleges- private, not particularly selective, are going to be in this predicament. We are seeing a piling in of applications to T50 colleges. If you are a private college whose cost of attendance approaches $95,000 per year and you are, for better or worse, perceived as being a mediocre/non-selective college, the competition to attract high achieving students is fierce.

Agree. Occidental College is in the same boat with a 15% shortfall in last year’s expected class. That’s a loss of over $6 million, which is tough on a small college.

[Anonymous]

Can I hijack to talk about UVM? I’m worried now about their situation but it’s my junior’s current #1 choice. He likes the size, outdoors vibe, access to outdoor activities, the fact that it has some sports teams to root for (even if no football) and location in a charming college town. According to the NPC he’ll get enough merit to bring COA to about $55k. He plans to study environmental science or psych. What other schools should he consider? 1300 SAT, 3.8 UW, 4.5W.

[Anonymous]

^its similar to Syracuse in that it currently trendy to go south. In the long run they’ll both be fine, but may have to shrink some of the associate director of non-binary pan-Asian culture type of positions. Uvm is top notch for environmental science and if your kid wants to go there and you can afford it go for it. My kid is going next year and I’m not worried at all. Syracuse parents shouldn’t be either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I hijack to talk about UVM? I’m worried now about their situation but it’s my junior’s current #1 choice. He likes the size, outdoors vibe, access to outdoor activities, the fact that it has some sports teams to root for (even if no football) and location in a charming college town. According to the NPC he’ll get enough merit to bring COA to about $55k. He plans to study environmental science or psych. What other schools should he consider? 1300 SAT, 3.8 UW, 4.5W.

396 applied Early Decision, 363 were accepted. However, with that SAT your best bet is applying regular decision then hit them up for more merit.

[Anonymous]

Kids want warm weather at half the cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like ND but it will always be in the rear view mirror of Duke. With respect to Syracuse, live in a wealthy full pay suburb and never see a Syracuse decal. Kids that don’t have the grades and top scores are going to Clemson, Bama, Ole Miss etc. Lots of those decals on Range Rovers etc. No interest in SU and upstate NY snowmelt.

I don't think ND and Duke have much in common at all.

Spend a bit of time on instagram and you will see reality. Kids from pretty much every private heading to Cuse but not any of the schools that you mentioned except Clemson once in awhile. And given that Clemsons budget problems dwarf Syracuse’s I’m not sure how long that will last either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, tons of kids from nyc suburbs go to Syracuse, have the best 4 years, and are very successful afterward. It’s a very common scenario! And it’s not just Newhouse. The education is good, the experience is good, they don’t mind the weather. I’m trying to think of what a similar private school 3 hours from the dc area would be. But yeah it’s the price. Some of those families can easily pay but the ones who can’t have cheaper state school options.

There are very few schools who are positioned like Syracuse-- mid-sized enrollment, moderately selective, longstanding top tier programs (Newhouse, Falk, Maxwell), large deeply loyal alumni base, winning athletic tradition, national brand, and strong school spirit. What are the comparable schools? SMU? There are a host of schools that come close but are more selective-Villanova, USC, BC, and Miami. Syracuse has a strong niche. There is no death spiral here

Yes, it's expensive but for a student who wants smaller class sizes and a relatively more intimate environment it may be worth the money.

I wrote the post you’re responding to and I totally agree with you. I really like Syracuse. My daughter applied and would have been happy there. She would not have been happy at most state schools. It’s a good fit for lots of kids!

State schools suck. I guess they're ok if you're broke. But they have decaying infrastructure, overcrowded everything, insufficient housing, huge classes, difficulty registering for classes, classes taught by TAs, and worst of all, you're surrounded by plebs. Syracuse offers a much superior experience to those who can afford it.

Stare schools had the best infastructure of the schools we looked at.

The private schools except for Northwestern and Notre Dame were either falling apart, or in run down northeastern half abandoned towns, or both.

Heck, one of the state schools even had a lazy river and tiki juice bar through its pool complex.

You are clearly not visiting anywhere midwest or south if you think state schools are run down and private schools are in great shape.

Mediocre Southern schools…..more like daycare for immature teens.

[Anonymous]

There's going to be an escalating crisis for schools like this all over the country as the student population continues to drop off.

More and more parents/students will very justifiably conclude that if you are not getting into a "differencing making" tip top college then you are much better off focusing on your own state flagship school(s) - NY is a bit different because their state system isn't great.

Some of these privates have created their own problems by huge costs of attendance - then trying to discount at the acceptance level. Problem is, when parents who can't full pay are looking at colleges, they don't just assume "If my kid gets in, he'll get a scholarship", they just look at the top level cost of attendance, assume they couldn't make it, and move one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, tons of kids from nyc suburbs go to Syracuse, have the best 4 years, and are very successful afterward. It’s a very common scenario! And it’s not just Newhouse. The education is good, the experience is good, they don’t mind the weather. I’m trying to think of what a similar private school 3 hours from the dc area would be. But yeah it’s the price. Some of those families can easily pay but the ones who can’t have cheaper state school options.

There are very few schools who are positioned like Syracuse-- mid-sized enrollment, moderately selective, longstanding top tier programs (Newhouse, Falk, Maxwell), large deeply loyal alumni base, winning athletic tradition, national brand, and strong school spirit. What are the comparable schools? SMU? There are a host of schools that come close but are more selective-Villanova, USC, BC, and Miami. Syracuse has a strong niche. There is no death spiral here

Yes, it's expensive but for a student who wants smaller class sizes and a relatively more intimate environment it may be worth the money.

I wrote the post you’re responding to and I totally agree with you. I really like Syracuse. My daughter applied and would have been happy there. She would not have been happy at most state schools. It’s a good fit for lots of kids!

State schools suck. I guess they're ok if you're broke. But they have decaying infrastructure, overcrowded everything, insufficient housing, huge classes, difficulty registering for classes, classes taught by TAs, and worst of all, you're surrounded by plebs. Syracuse offers a much superior experience to those who can afford it.

Stare schools had the best infastructure of the schools we looked at.

The private schools except for Northwestern and Notre Dame were either falling apart, or in run down northeastern half abandoned towns, or both.

Heck, one of the state schools even had a lazy river and tiki juice bar through its pool complex.

You are clearly not visiting anywhere midwest or south if you think state schools are run down and private schools are in great shape.

+1. PP “learned” a bunch of things on DCUM that are unsurprisingly wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I hijack to talk about UVM? I’m worried now about their situation but it’s my junior’s current #1 choice. He likes the size, outdoors vibe, access to outdoor activities, the fact that it has some sports teams to root for (even if no football) and location in a charming college town. According to the NPC he’ll get enough merit to bring COA to about $55k. He plans to study environmental science or psych. What other schools should he consider? 1300 SAT, 3.8 UW, 4.5W.

At least you aren't hijacking to start nonsense trolling like you see in most other DCUM threads! My very similar kid is also hoping UVM comes through with merit. I am thinking that the school will be making adjustments and going through transition to become smaller and leaner over the next few years -- just like Syracuse -- but neither of these schools are going to shut down all together. UVM won't because it is a state school. For Syracuse, I bet the state would somehow get involved. It is too important to the local economy to close. Although really you could probably say the same for most schools.

Other schools my child is considering - basically other flagships in the Northeast. Also Syracuse, but I've told him unless there is a miracle with merit (and told him that there won't be any miracles) Syracuse won't be an option.

So to circle back to the point of the thread...flagships are more attractive competitors to Syracuse these days for most families. Cost is a HUGE problem for Syracuse and recruitment (and to a lesser degree, UVM) And yes, weather in the Northeast seems to be a big negative for kids these days so they have to drop cost to be more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, tons of kids from nyc suburbs go to Syracuse, have the best 4 years, and are very successful afterward. It’s a very common scenario! And it’s not just Newhouse. The education is good, the experience is good, they don’t mind the weather. I’m trying to think of what a similar private school 3 hours from the dc area would be. But yeah it’s the price. Some of those families can easily pay but the ones who can’t have cheaper state school options.

There are very few schools who are positioned like Syracuse-- mid-sized enrollment, moderately selective, longstanding top tier programs (Newhouse, Falk, Maxwell), large deeply loyal alumni base, winning athletic tradition, national brand, and strong school spirit. What are the comparable schools? SMU? There are a host of schools that come close but are more selective-Villanova, USC, BC, and Miami. Syracuse has a strong niche. There is no death spiral here

Yes, it's expensive but for a student who wants smaller class sizes and a relatively more intimate environment it may be worth the money.

I wrote the post you’re responding to and I totally agree with you. I really like Syracuse. My daughter applied and would have been happy there. She would not have been happy at most state schools. It’s a good fit for lots of kids!

State schools suck. I guess they're ok if you're broke. But they have decaying infrastructure, overcrowded everything, insufficient housing, huge classes, difficulty registering for classes, classes taught by TAs, and worst of all, you're surrounded by plebs. Syracuse offers a much superior experience to those who can afford it.

Stare schools had the best infastructure of the schools we looked at.

The private schools except for Northwestern and Notre Dame were either falling apart, or in run down northeastern half abandoned towns, or both.

Heck, one of the state schools even had a lazy river and tiki juice bar through its pool complex.

You are clearly not visiting anywhere midwest or south if you think state schools are run down and private schools are in great shape.

Can you name the private universities you toured? Unless they’re low tier, I’ve never heard of a private institution “falling apart.”

Also it sounds like LSU you’re talking about- which was just a charge added to student fees for a lazy river. Most schools have a pool or multiple pools for students to access, so I guess it’s really cool if you
Really like lazy rivers