Best Colleges in Syracuse

Syracuse is a convenient place to live in Central New York, with I-90, I-81, buses, railways, and an airport. There are 18 colleges near Syracuse, NY in the Central New York region, with over 63,000 students enrolled. Many of these NY colleges offer online programs from associate to graduate levels.

Syracuse University’s arts and sciences and engineering and computer science branches provide some of the best online colleges statewide. The region’s top industries vary from healthcare, transportation, and advanced manufacturing, to financial services, information technology, and education. In addition, the area is an emerging leader in cleantech and renewable energy, including biofuels, water resources, and sustainable design.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Central New York offers diverse high-demand occupations across industries compared to other parts of the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there were 21,070 healthcare practitioners and technical occupation jobs in May 2021. In addition, the BLS recorded 6,100 jobs in computer and mathematical occupations and another 13,460 roles in management occupations.

Job demand and wages vary with the industry and the role. In general, management occupations paid an average of $122,750 per year, but finance managers earned an average of $156,020 in 2021. In healthcare and technical occupations, registered nurses averaged $75,440, while nurse anesthetists earned an average of $212,830 per year.

Registered nurses (RNs) work with doctors and other healthcare professionals and may oversee licensed practical nurses or nursing assistants. They coordinate patient care, record patients’ medical histories, and administer patients’ medicines and treatments. An RN may also specialize in critical care, oncology, geriatrics, or pediatrics. Other specializations include addiction rehabilitation, cardiovascular care, or psychiatric mental health.

Annual Median Salary (May 2021): $77,600
Job Outlook (2020-2030): 9% growth

Postsecondary teachers, or professors and faculty, develop class syllabi, plan lessons and assignments, and teach courses in their subject area. They assess students’ progress and advise them on how to achieve their goals. Professors typically work in specific departments, such as math, and may teach more than one class within the department.

Annaul Median Salary: $79,640
Job Outlook (2020-2030): 12% growth

Financial managers analyze a company’s financial data and monitor finances for an organization. They also prepare financial statements, reports, and forecasts. These managers supervise financial reporting, work on teams as advisors, and help upper management make budgetary decisions. Additionally, these professionals need industry-specific knowledge of tax laws and regulations.

Annual Median Salary: $ Salary Here

Operations research analysts gather and interpret information from databases, customer feedback, and sales history to help organizations make informed decisions. They identify problems to help managers allocate resources, develop production schedules, and set prices for products and services. These professionals provide alternatives and often assist in determining how to proceed.

Annual Median Salary (May 2021): $82,360
Job Outlook (2020-2030): 25% growth

Information security analysts develop security standards, monitor an organization’s network security, and investigate when a breach occurs. They help create disaster recovery plans and continuously test the steps in the plan to ensure the system is up to date. These professionals must stay current on IT security and the methods cyber-criminals use.

Median Annual Salary: $102,600
Job Outlook (2020-2030): 33% growth

There are ten four-year institutions and eight two-year colleges near Syracuse, NY, including well-known research institutions. The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a recognized top research institution. SUNY Upstate Medical University offers undergraduate and graduate programs for biomedical research and healthcare professionals.

Syracuse University is known for research in various disciplines, including multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Bryant Stratton is another four-year college in Syracuse, NY, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees. Onondaga Community College is a two-year institution providing associate degree programs such as computing and applied technologies, education, and health.

Syracuse University offers online courses in many disciplines, such as business, communication, computer science, and engineering. While many Syracuse University degrees are entirely online, some require in-person residencies. An academic advisor is assigned to each student to help plan their program, track their progress, and provide necessary resources.

Online classes may be live, real-time synchronous classes, asynchronous classes, or a mix of the two. Bryant Stratton classes are asynchronous and entirely online, giving students 24/7 access to lectures, assignments, and discussions. Learners must complete their work by the due dates, but they can set a schedule that works best for them.

Syracuse University is the most expensive of the colleges in Syracuse, NY, with an annual tuition of $58,440 for the 2022-2023 year. The cost of attendance varies depending on your program of study, and online programs often have additional technology fees. Onondaga Community College’s tuition and fees amount to $5,890 per year for state residents and $11,080 per year for non-residents as of 2022-2023.

Private colleges and universities are typically more expensive than public universities and community colleges. Consider your goals before you apply to a college in the city or one of the colleges near Syracuse, NY. Attending community college might be a good way to save money.

Syracuse University is most well-known as a private research university, with 13 schools and over 40 research centers. This 152-year-old institution is known for its investment in professional programs, research, and innovation. Top programs include disciplines from performance, fine arts, and humanities to social sciences, physical sciences, and communication. They also have programs in technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Syracuse campus features group meeting rooms, quiet study spaces, and 24/7 assistance. In addition, over half of the university’s undergraduate classes have less than 20 students. Syracuse University also offers some of the best online programs in the country, including an AACSB-accredited business management degree.

Syracuse University ranked 58 among the best national universities by U.S News World Report, and it’s a gold-tier top 10 military-friendly school. In 2021, U.S. News World Report ranked the institution as number one in public management and leadership. The 2020 Princeton Review ranked Syracuse University as having the best college newspaper.

In addition, in 2021, College Factual rated the school second in information science and third in entrepreneurial studies. College Factual also ranked the university fifth for best degrees in communication and journalism. What’s more, Payscale recognized Syracuse University as number 16 for education majors by salary potential in 2020.