History
Founded in 1911 to "help in the solution of forestry problems" the New York State College of Forestry was founded in partnership with Syracuse University. That first year, 52 students enrolled, and there were two faculty members along with Dean Hugh P. Baker. Classes met in two classrooms in the basement of Lyman Hall of Natural Sciences on the SU campus.
Research
Research at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is remarkably diverse, current and challenging, with contributions being made in fields like aquatic ecosystems, bioenergy, biotechnology, biodiversity, ecology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, remote sensing, wildlife disease prevention and many others.
ESF is a leader in integrating the energy and excitement of research with the formal requirements of degree and certificate programs. A high percentage of undergraduates and virtually all graduate students participate in research activity as part of their educational experience.Career
ESF graduates get jobs all over the world, in all kinds of locations and all kinds of environments. Some work in their hometowns. Others work in exotic locales in Africa, Europe or Asia. Some work in a forested wilderness area.
Others work in hightech manufacturing environments or state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Many work in the nation’s urban centers; others in suburban and rural towns. ESF graduates have a wealth of opportunities to pursue because the College emphasizes problemsolving and communications skills as much as it focuses on science and professional training.Student services
The Division of Student Affairs provides assistance to students experiencing hardship, support to faculty and staff working with students of concern, and guidance to parents/family seeking help and information on behalf of their student.
Housing services
Most transfer students choose to live in off-campus apartments in the neighborhood surrounding the SUNY-ESF and SU campus, University Hill. Visit our off-campus Housing page to learn more about resources available for locating housing in the University Hill area and the Greater Syracuse area.
Library services
To provide information resources to the ESF community and to teach library users to learn independently.
Medical services
All ESF students will be required to have health insurance coverage beginning with the fall semester 2016. This is a requirement at most colleges and universities nationally (including Syracuse University) and is meant to ensure that college students are able to access off-campus health care services when needed.
Campus life
ESF is a multiple campus institution that includes approximately 1 million square feet of facilities in 186 buildings on 25,000 acres of land. Facilities for education and research are provided on the main campus in Syracuse and at five regional campuses and three field stations.
Sports facilities
ESF students can participate in a wide variety of intercollegiate sports clubs, intramural sports programs & recreational activities offered through Syracuse University (SU)—tennis, volleyball, skiing, ice hockey, and many more!
Accreditation
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry Overview
SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 23.6% United States
Top 16.7% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1365
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 17 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1184 | 1348 | 1365 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2025 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2025 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 901 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
New York City City
SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry Student Reviews & Awards
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A Blend of Creativity and Technology
Our university's Bachelor's program in Graphic and Interactive Communications provides a well-rounded education, integrating technological expertise with creative expression and scientific rigor. Students gain a deep understanding of graphic technology, material, and visual language, alongside fundamental natural sciences. With a focus on practical application and ecological sustainability, graduates emerge as adept problem-solvers equipped with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ready to excel in today's dynamic media landscape.
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