Suffolk County Community College vs Syracuse University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +489% | +66% |
| 10-year net gain | $66,068 | $108,933 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $52,959 | $72,358 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $30,575 | $53,912 |
| Average net price | $5,258 | $38,793 |
| Median debt | $8,250 | $26,000 |
| Break-even | 1.7 yrs | 6 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 84% |
| Admission rate | — | 46% |
Suffolk County Community College
Strong return
+$66,068 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Syracuse University
Break-even
+$108,933 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.