The Most Difficult SUNY School to Get into, Ranked

Choose the school you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:26
Choosing the right university can be a daunting decision, pivotal to one's academic and career paths. Yet deciphering the complexities and competitiveness across various institutions is not a simple task. For prospective students and educators, knowing which schools are hardest to get into can help set realistic goals and prepare better for the admissions process. In this space, users can cast their votes to rank the SUNY schools by their admission difficulty, providing clarity and insight for future applicants. By participating, voters contribute to a collective knowledge pool, helping refine the accuracy of the list and ensure it reflects the latest trends in the admission landscapes.

What Is the Most Difficult SUNY School to Get into?

  1. 1
    62
    votes
    With an acceptance rate of just 41%, the SUNY ESF is the most difficult SUNY school to get into. It is a highly specialized college that focuses on environmental science and forestry.
    The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a specialized college within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It is recognized as a leader in environmental education and research, focusing on the fields of environmental science, sustainability, forestry, and natural resource management.
    • Location: Syracuse, New York, United States
    • Campus Size: Approximately 12 acres
    • Undergraduate Programs: 19 majors and 29 minors
    • Graduate Programs: 36 master's degrees and 24 doctoral programs
    • Faculty: Approximately 170 professors
  2. 2
    53
    votes
    With an acceptance rate of just 40%, Binghamton University is one of the most selective SUNY schools. It is known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and sciences.
    Binghamton University, also known as the State University of New York at Binghamton, is a prestigious public research university located in Vestal, New York. It was established in 1946 as Triple Cities College to meet the growing demand for higher education in the region. Binghamton University offers a wide range of majors and programs across six schools, including the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the Decker School of Nursing, and the School of Management.
    • Acceptance Rate: 40.2%
    • Total Enrollment: 17,768 undergraduate students
    • Campus Size: 930 acres
    • Student-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
    • Average SAT Score: 1270-1410
  3. 3
    34
    votes
    Stony Brook University
    Flcelloguy · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Stony Brook University has an acceptance rate of around 44%. It is a highly ranked research university with strong programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
    Stony Brook University is a renowned public research university located in Stony Brook, New York. It is one of the most difficult schools to get into within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With a focus on academic excellence, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
    • Acceptance Rate: around 41% (for the Fall 2021 freshman class)
    • Rankings: Ranked #88 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
    • Average SAT Scores: 1230-1430 range (middle 50%)
    • Average ACT Scores: 26-32 range (middle 50%)
    • Undergraduate Enrollment: over 17,000 students
  4. 4
    20
    votes

    University at Buffalo

    New York State Legislature
    With an acceptance rate of just 57%, the University at Buffalo is one of the more selective SUNY schools. It is a large research university with a strong focus on STEM fields.
    The University at Buffalo is a premier public research university located in Buffalo, New York. It is commonly referred to as UB and is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UB offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across various disciplines.
    • Location: Buffalo, New York
    • Established: 1846
    • Total Enrollment: over 32,000 (2019)
    • Undergraduate Enrollment: around 22,000 (2019)
    • Graduate Enrollment: over 10,000 (2019)
  5. 5
    15
    votes
    Geneseo State College has an acceptance rate of around 63%. It is a highly ranked liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
    Geneseo State College, officially known as SUNY Geneseo, is a prestigious public liberal arts college located in Geneseo, New York. It was founded in 1871 as the Wadsworth Normal School, and later transformed into a state college in 1948. Geneseo is renowned for its exceptional academics, strong sense of community, and beautiful campus.
    • Location: Geneseo, New York
    • Type: Public liberal arts college
    • Year Founded: 1871
    • Official Name: SUNY Geneseo
    • Academic Reputation: Highly regarded for academic excellence
  6. 6
    19
    votes
    New Paltz State College has an acceptance rate of around 45%. It is a highly ranked liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
    The New Paltz State College, also known as SUNY New Paltz, is a public liberal arts college located in New Paltz, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is renowned for its strong academic programs and beautiful campus. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
    • Location: New Paltz, New York
    • Type: Public
    • Ownership: State University of New York (SUNY)
    • Mascot: Hugo the Hawk
    • Undergraduate Programs: Over 100, including majors in business, engineering, education, fine arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Purchase State College has an acceptance rate of around 41%. It is a highly selective liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
    Purchase State College is a highly selective public liberal arts college located in Purchase, New York. Known for its rigorous academic programs and talented faculty, it offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields of study.
    • Location: Purchase, New York
    • Type: Public liberal arts college
    • Admission Difficulty: Very competitive
    • Acceptance Rate: Approximately 25%
    • Undergraduate Programs: Over 40 majors, including visual arts, arts management, cinema studies, graphic design, journalism, music, theater, and more
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    SUNY College at Oneonta has an acceptance rate of around 50%. It is a highly ranked liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
    SUNY College at Oneonta is a public college located in Oneonta, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in various disciplines.
    • College Type: Public
    • Location: Oneonta, New York
    • System: State University of New York (SUNY)
    • Undergraduate Programs: Wide range of disciplines
    • Admission Difficulty: High
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    SUNY Fredonia has an acceptance rate of around 56%. It is a highly ranked liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in music, arts, and humanities.
    SUNY Fredonia, also known as the State University of New York at Fredonia, is a public liberal arts college located in Fredonia, New York. Established in 1826, it is one of the most respected and reputable institutions within the SUNY system. SUNY Fredonia offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including sciences, arts, humanities, and education.
    • Location: Fredonia, New York
    • Type: Public
    • Year Established: 1826
    • Academic Programs: Undergraduate and Graduate
    • Specializations: Liberal arts, sciences, arts, humanities, education
  10. 10
    1
    votes
    Old Westbury State College has an acceptance rate of around 47%. It is a highly selective liberal arts college that is known for its strong programs in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.
    Old Westbury State College, also known as SUNY Old Westbury, is a public liberal arts college located in Old Westbury, New York. It was established in 1965 and is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
    • Location: Old Westbury, New York
    • Type: Public liberal arts college
    • Established: 1965
    • Affiliation: State University of New York (SUNY)
    • Mascot: Panthers

Missing your favorite school?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult school

  1. Acceptance Rate
    The percentage of applicants who are admitted to a particular institution. A lower acceptance rate typically indicates a more competitive and selective school.
  2. Average GPA and Test Scores
    The average GPA and standardized test (SAT/ACT) scores of accepted applicants can give you an idea of the academic rigor and expectations of a given institution.
  3. Student-to-Faculty Ratio
    A lower ratio suggests a more intimate learning environment and potentially more individualized attention from faculty members.
  4. Retention and Graduation Rates
    High retention and graduation rates indicate that students are generally satisfied with their education and able to successfully complete their degree programs.
  5. Reputation and Rankings
    National and regional rankings can provide a general sense of an institution's overall quality and prestige within the higher education landscape.
  6. Program Strengths
    Consider the strengths and specialties of a particular SUNY school's academic programs. Some schools may be more competitive within specific fields due to their strong programs or research opportunities.
  7. Availability of Financial Aid
    Some schools may be more difficult to get into because they offer more generous financial aid packages, which may attract a larger applicant pool.
  8. Diversity and Inclusivity
    Consider the institution’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as this may influence overall campus culture and your learning experience.
  9. Location and Campus Setting
    The desirability of a school's location and campus setting can impact its competitiveness. Some students may be more inclined to attend a school in a major metropolitan area, for example, while others may prefer a rural or suburban setting.
  10. Extracurricular Opportunities
    A school that offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and resources may be more attractive to applicants, which can make it more competitive to get into.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult SUNY school to get into. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Classroom is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 8717 views
  • 198 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Classroom once every 24 hours. The rank of each Classroom is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most difficult suny school to get into

Background Information: The State University of New York (SUNY) system is one of the largest comprehensive university systems in the United States, with 64 campuses across the state. Each campus has its own unique academic programs, admission requirements, and acceptance rates. While some SUNY schools may be easier to get into than others, there are a few that are notoriously difficult to gain admission to. These schools are highly selective and attract a large pool of competitive applicants each year. In this article, we will explore which SUNY school is considered the most difficult to get into and what factors contribute to its exclusivity.

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