,·Public·Est. 1911
“The nation's oldest and most distinguished college devoted to the study of the environment, with the resources of a major research university next door”
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is one of the most unique institutions in American higher education — a small, focused STEM college devoted entirely to the study of the environment, sustainability, and natural resources. Founded in 1911 and located on University Hill in Syracuse, NY, ESF sits adjacent to Syracuse University, and the two institutions share libraries, dining halls, athletic facilities, and over 200 student organizations, giving ESF students a small-college academic experience with big-university campus life. Every program at ESF connects to the environment in some way, from environmental engineering and renewable energy to conservation biology and sustainable construction. The college manages over 25,000 acres of field stations and forest properties across New York State, providing students with hands-on research opportunities that few institutions can match. The 15-acre campus itself features a green-certified residence hall and is surrounded by the academic resources of a much larger university ecosystem. With roughly 1,800 undergraduates, ESF offers an intimate academic environment where faculty know students by name and undergraduate research is the norm. The college's graduates are sought after by environmental agencies, engineering firms, and conservation organizations, and the small class sizes and specialized focus create a tight-knit community of students passionate about the natural world.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
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Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding. Priority consideration.
Regular Decision
Recommended filing date. Final deadline March 1.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$9,270
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$23,220
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
The core of ESF's mission, offering programs that study ecosystems, climate, water resources, and environmental health through fieldwork and lab research.
ABET-accredited engineering programs focused on sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and water treatment — applied engineering with an environmental purpose.
Programs in forestry, natural resources management, and conservation that draw on ESF's 25,000+ acres of forest properties for hands-on learning.
One of the oldest landscape architecture programs in the country, combining ecological design with community planning and urban green infrastructure.
4 years
ESF's flagship program combines fieldwork, lab research, and policy analysis to prepare graduates for careers in environmental protection, consulting, and government agencies.
4 years
An ABET-accredited engineering program focused on designing sustainable solutions for water, energy, and waste challenges — applied engineering for the planet.
5 years
A professionally accredited 5-year program training designers who create sustainable landscapes, urban parks, and green infrastructure in communities worldwide.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $42,653
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
