Academic Programs & Learning

Syracuse University

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

15:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

91%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

64%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 15:1 means there are approximately 15 students for every faculty member. This low ratio typically allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 83% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
1,196
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
15:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
9%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (0%) Non-Tenure (20%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors100
Associate Professors68
Assistant Professors138
Other Instructional Staff890

Understanding Faculty Composition

Syracuse University employs 1196 instructional staff members. About 0% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (15,739 enrolled)
358
exclusively online (2.3%)
Same state 209 (58.4%)
Other US states 145 (40.5%)
Outside US 4 (1.1%)
Graduate (7,209 enrolled)
2,047
exclusively online (28.4%)
Same state 811 (39.6%)
Other US states 1,192 (58.2%)
Outside US 44 (2.1%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

58% of Syracuse University's exclusively online undergraduates are located in NY. At the graduate level, 58% study from other US states, suggesting strong national demand for online graduate programs.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

22,112
Total FTE
17,485
Undergraduate FTE
4,627
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
17,485 (79.1%)
Graduate FTE
4,627 (20.9%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:96.4% FTE ratio indicates students are primarily full-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

96.4%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelVery High

Nearly all students attend full-time, indicating a traditional, immersive academic environment with full-time commitment.

Undergraduate FTE
17,485
Graduate FTE
4,627
Total FTE
22,112
Headcount
22,948

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Syracuse University directly at 3154431870 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 supports personalized learning
  • 1196 instructional staff with 0% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from NY and beyond (41% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Syracuse University?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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