State University of New York at Oswego

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63.3
College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
60.7
Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
65.8
Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.9
Publisher Ratings
85.2
U.S. News - Regional Universities North
80.1
Washington Monthly Masters
16.8
Wall Street Journal
Student Reviews
71.5
Niche
68
U.S. News - Reviews
65.6
Grad Reports
58.3
My Plan
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
83%
Percent Admitted
52%
4-year Graduation Rate
6,906
Enrollment
16.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$10,101
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$8,769
In-State Tuition and Fees
$18,679
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Public, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable

Originally the Oswego Primary Teacher’s Training School, SUNY College at Oswego was founded in 1861 by educational reformer Edward Austin Sheldon. Oswego was one of the most influential teachers’ education institutions in the 19th century thanks to Sheldon, who pioneered child-centered “object teaching,” a method that broke away from the traditional memorization to experiential learning for children and teachers. Today Oswego is a public liberal arts college ranked in the top 50 North regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

Academic Programs

SUNY Oswego serves more than 7000 undergraduates and just over 1000 graduate students; the growing student body is rapidly pushing Oswego beyond the small liberal arts college of its history. In fact, SUNY Oswego has been named an up-and-coming institution by U.S. News. Oswego’s growth has allowed it to become a more much comprehensive college than most smaller regional institutions, offering more than 110 undergraduate degree programs and more than 35 master’s programs. Oswego is also one of the top schools in the SUNY system for study abroad and internships.

Some of SUNY Oswego’s most popular and respected programs include the NCATE-accredited School of Education, developing from Oswego’s earliest beginnings as a teacher’s training school. The School of Business is accredited by the AACSB, and has been ranked one of the best pubic graduate business schools in the North by both U.S. News and the Princeton Review. The Center for Experiential Learning connects undergraduate and graduate students with internships and cooperative learning opportunities, and with a student body that is overwhelmingly undergraduate, undergrads have ample access to research with Oswego’s internationally-recognized faculty.

Student Life

Of SUNY Oswego’s 7000 undergraduates, more than 4000 live on campus, giving Oswego students the feel and experience of a traditional residential college, with all of the activities, events, and community-building that implies. The student body is highly diverse, with more than a third of the population made up of minority students, and a fairly even split between men and women. Nearly all of Oswego’s students come from New York, including a significant number of transfer students from New York’s community college system.

More than 250 organizations and clubs bring a wide range of opportunities to socialize, make connections, and build a network of friends and colleagues. More than 25 fraternities and sororities make for an active Greek Life, while professional development, honor societies, and special interests help students prepare for their futures. The SUNY Oswego Lakers compete in the NCAA Division III as part of the SUNY Athletic Conference. A long-time ice hockey rivalry with SUNY Plattsburgh once included Lakers fans throwing bagels on the ice when they scored a goal. That tradition was banned in 2006, replaced with the waving of white towels.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.