College Profile
Founded in 1911, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the nation’s oldest and most respected college dedicated solely to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future.
Widely recognized as America’s top-ranked environmental college, ESF is a small and selective doctoral-level campus of the State University of New York (SUNY). We offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs focused on sustainability and the science, design, engineering and management of our environment and natural resources. We discover real-world solutions to today’s environmental problems and educate tomorrow’s environmental leaders. Join us and improve your world.
ESF offers 25 undergraduate and 26 graduate degree programs to choose from, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral (Ph.D.) programs in the sciences, engineering, forestry and landscape architecture. Associate degree programs are offered at ESF’s Ranger School in the Adirondacks. The ESF campus occupies 12 acres in Syracuse and 25,000 acres on its regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park.
ESF has earned top rankings from U.S. News & World Report in its annual survey of America’s best colleges, which placed ESF among the top 50 “best value” colleges in the nation and among the top 100 national universities for quality and reputation. Forbes magazine currently ranks ESF 20th in its list of “best college buys” and third in its list of the nation’s best colleges for women studying science and engineering.
Right next door to ESF’s Syracuse campus is Syracuse University, and ESF students can take advantage of a wide variety of programs and services at both institutions. ESF students are able to take selected courses at SU and participate in academic and cultural events.
SU also provides ESF students with a greater choice of options for on-campus recreation, activities, clubs, dining and religious services. You can attend exciting Division I sports events in the impressive Carrier Dome and join more than 350 student organizations and clubs on both campuses.
Programs We Offer
Undergraduate and Graduate
- Chemistry
- Environmental and Forest Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Resources Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
- Forest and Natural Resources Management
- Paper and Bioprocess Engineering
Demographics
| 2,300 | Total Enrollment |
| 1,750 | Undergraduate Enrollment |
| 550 | Graduate Enrollment |
| Undergraduate 65, Graduate 120 | International Student Enrollment |
| 53% | Male |
| 47% | Female |
| 1:13 | Faculty-Student Ratio |
| 60 | Countries Represented |
| Top 5 | China, India, South Korea, Iran, Thailand |
International Student Housing Options
All ESF first year students live in Centennial Hall, the ESF residence hall. Centennial Hall is an environmentally friendly “green” building that houses 500+ ESF students in a combination of residence hall style rooms and student apartments. Student lounges, laundry facilities, enclosed bicycle storage and other common areas are also included. Student rooms are furnished with a special “campus collection” of sustainable hardwood furniture manufactured by the Syracuse-based L. & J.G. Stickley Company.
Click here for more information.
First Year, Transfer, and Graduate Students
First Year Admission: click here to learn more
Transfer Student Admission: click here to learn more
Graduate Student Admission: click here to learn more
Financial Aid
ESF offer scholarships to undergraduate international students based upon merit. For more information click here.
For graduate programs, ESF offers numerous graduate assistantships and research assistantships throughout the year. For more information click here.
Student Activities and Campus Life
Student clubs and organizations at ESF include student government, student chapters of professional organizations, and sports and community service clubs. Activities run the gamut from service fraternities to major-specific clubs, Habitat for Humanity, a music society and a student newspaper.
There are also numerous on-campus social programs and activities. The College ofers weekly free screenings of the latest movie releases and student government hosts campus-wide social gatherings. The Insomniacs student group organizes activities such as Kan Jam tournaments, mechanical bull riding and live music that take place between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on weekends.
Students may also play more than 30 club or intramural sports ofered at Syracuse University for fitness and recreation.
April brings Earth Day celebrations to many college and university campuses, but at ESF you can count on an entire Earth Week filled with tie-dyed shirts, hula hoops, barbecues and an annual “Quadstock” for music lovers!
Check out more about student life here.
