SUNY Poly vs Oswego State

SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College at Oswego, both esteemed institutions within the State University of New York system, offer distinct educational experiences tailored to diverse student aspirations. SUNY Poly, renowned for its technological prowess, boasts a lower acceptance rate, reflecting its competitive admissions process. In contrast, Oswego's more accessible admissions policy welcomes a broader range of applicants. While SUNY Poly excels in engineering and computer science, Oswego shines in fields like business, education, and communication. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	SUNY College at Oswego	SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Location	Oswego, New York	Utica, New York
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	75.0%	75.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	79.6%	77.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1060 - 1280	1040 - 1400
ACT range	24 - 29	23 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%	29.0%
Students submitting ACT score	4.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	10,357	2,686
Total number of admissions given out	8,249	2,075
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,168	307
Yield rate	14.2%	14.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,709 Out of state: $36,619	In state: $27,040 Out of state: $37,800
Average net price	$15,078	$10,245
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $16,980	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $17,830
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,990 Meal plan: $5,650	Room/dormitory: $8,444 Meal plan: $4,960
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $9,827	87.0% Average amount $9,128
Students receiving federal student loan	57.0% Average amount $5,396	56.0% Average amount $4,971
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $11,732	7.0% Average amount $8,955

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,135 Men 47.4% Women 52.6%	2,037 Men 67.3% Women 32.7%
Graduate students	923 Men 37.2% Women 62.8%	813 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	5.8%	2.0%
International students	2.1%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,600	1,076
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York District of Columbia New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	New York Alabama Connecticut Florida Mississippi

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Computer and Information Science Business Health Professions Engineering Engineering Technologies
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.4%	65.4%
Dropout rate	6.9%	7.2%
Transferred out	25.9%	26.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $75,832 Year 3: $82,218 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,762 Year 2: $56,716 Year 3: $69,352 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,761 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $68,793 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,355 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $60,642 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,277 Year 2: $49,832 Year 3: $55,558 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,463 Year 2: $37,478 Year 3: $47,329 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,275 Year 2: $39,832 Year 3: $46,905 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,225 Year 2: $37,748 Year 3: $46,883 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,410 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $46,627 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,543 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: $46,215	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,384 Year 2: $96,627 Year 3: $101,575 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,527 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $82,639 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,787 Year 2: $64,358 Year 3: $70,835 Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,615 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $70,350 Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,696 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $66,979 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,531 Year 2: $59,711 Year 3: $64,674 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $63,657 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,881 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $62,982 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,742 Year 2: $48,667 Year 3: $55,049 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,223 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $54,641

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College at Oswego?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) focuses primarily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, offering a more technically oriented education. SUNY College at Oswego provides a broader range of academic programs, including liberal arts, business, communications, and education, catering to students with diverse interests.
Which college is better known for its STEM programs?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is renowned for its STEM programs. It offers specialized degrees in areas like nanotechnology, computer engineering, and cybersecurity, often involving hands-on research and industry collaborations.
Which college offers a wider variety of majors?

SUNY College at Oswego offers a wider variety of majors compared to SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Oswego has strong programs in areas like broadcasting, journalism, education, and business administration, in addition to its science and arts offerings.
How do the campus environments compare?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute has a smaller, more technically focused campus environment, fostering a close-knit community among STEM students. SUNY College at Oswego has a larger, more traditional college campus with a wider range of student activities and organizations, reflecting its diverse student body.
What are the typical class sizes at each college?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute generally has smaller class sizes, allowing for more personalized attention from professors, especially in upper-level STEM courses. SUNY College at Oswego may have larger introductory courses, but class sizes tend to decrease as students progress in their chosen majors.
Which college is more research-oriented?

While both colleges offer research opportunities, SUNY Polytechnic Institute places a greater emphasis on research, particularly in cutting-edge technologies. Students have opportunities to work alongside faculty on advanced research projects, often with industry partners.
How do the career opportunities differ for graduates of each college?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates are well-positioned for careers in high-tech industries, research and development, and engineering. SUNY College at Oswego graduates find opportunities in a broader range of fields, including education, media, business, and government.
What is the location of each college?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica and Albany, New York. SUNY College at Oswego is located in Oswego, New York, on the shores of Lake Ontario.
How do the costs of attending SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College at Oswego compare?

Tuition and fees are generally comparable between SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College at Oswego for in-state students. However, total cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date cost information.
Which college has a stronger focus on hands-on learning?

Both colleges incorporate hands-on learning into their curricula. SUNY Polytechnic Institute emphasizes practical application through labs, projects, and internships in STEM fields. SUNY College at Oswego offers experiential learning opportunities through internships, fieldwork, and clinical experiences in various disciplines.
Are there specific programs that one college is particularly known for?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is particularly known for its nanotechnology, engineering, and cybersecurity programs. SUNY College at Oswego is well-regarded for its broadcasting, journalism, teacher education, and business programs.
What types of student activities and clubs are available at each college?

SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers a range of clubs and activities, often centered around STEM interests, such as robotics clubs, coding groups, and engineering societies. SUNY College at Oswego has a wider variety of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, performing arts groups, sports clubs, and academic societies, reflecting its diverse student population.
How does the admissions process differ between the two colleges?

Both colleges consider factors like GPA, standardized test scores (if required), and extracurricular activities. SUNY Polytechnic Institute may place a greater emphasis on math and science coursework for STEM applicants. SUNY College at Oswego considers a broader range of academic and extracurricular achievements.
Do both colleges offer on-campus housing?

Yes, both SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College at Oswego offer on-campus housing options for students.

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