Is Syracuse University a good company to work for?

Syracuse University has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 2,020 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 81% of employees would recommend working at Syracuse University to a friend and 66% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Syracuse University have been left by employees working as Student Assistant , Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student .

Does Syracuse University pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Syracuse University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Syracuse University. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Syracuse University?

81% of Syracuse University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Syracuse University 3.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.8 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Syracuse University?

Research Assistant (99) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (72) , Teaching Assistant (57) , Graduate Research Assistant (52) , Graduate Student (48) , Graduate Assistant (27) , Student Worker (21) , Food Service Worker (17) , Intern (16) , Director (15) , Administrative Assistant (13) , Associate Professor (13) , Research Associate (12) , Resident Advisor (12) , Adjunct Professor (11)

What are the pros of working at Syracuse University according to real employee reviews?

"There are great benefits and it helps get through the degree when not having to worry as much about money." ((in 127 reviews)); "Caring people and it is great to be able to help others" ((in 95 reviews)); "Syracuse was an amazing place to works with great staff!" ((in 47 reviews)); "The campus is beautiful." ((in 39 reviews)); "work environment and learning oppoerunities are good" ((in 28 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Syracuse University according to real employee reviews?

"The pay is low and some of the professors are terrible to be his/her grader." ((in 115 reviews)); "As I worked there as a teacher assistant and research assistant so my salary was low." ((in 45 reviews)); "Parking is expensive and inconvenient." ((in 26 reviews)); "poor management and lots of moving parts" ((in 18 reviews)); "Some are still in the 50's when it comes to leadership." ((in 10 reviews))

What are employees saying about Syracuse University layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Syracuse University layoffs and their outlook for job security at Syracuse University in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Syracuse University locations?

Syracuse , New York , East Syracuse , Washington , Los Angeles , North Syracuse , Mahwah , Salt Lake City , Chicago , Vestal , Bronx , Brooklyn , Massapequa , Port Jefferson Station , Rochester , Chittenango , Liverpool , Surprise , Jackson , Syracuse , Charlotte , Jacksonville , Indianapolis , Syracuse , Cincinnati , North Hollywood , Orange , Sherman Oaks , Sunset Beach , San Francisco

Syracuse University reviews

4.2

81% would recommend to a friend

(1,803 total reviews)

Kent Syverud

74% approve of CEO

66% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.2

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Culture & values

3.9

Work/Life balance

3.8

Career opportunities

3.6

Senior management

3.6

Compensation and benefits

Syracuse University has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 1,803 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Syracuse University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

3.0

Apr 12, 2015

It's a gamble; you are trading a living wage for the chance that your children will want to attend this university.

Editorial assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If you have pre-college-age children and if you meet the requirements, your children (if accepted) have the opportunity to attend tuition-free. The company contribution to retirement is above average.

Cons

The salary is pitiful; the medical benefits are expensive compared to other large employers; although they make a big show of charging less for medical benefits to lesser-paid employees, in reality the difference it is only a few dollars a month. If you are not faculty or employed in athletics, you have very little value to this company and you will be reminded of that in every paycheck.

5.0

Feb 25, 2015

Professor at Newhouse School, Syracuse University

Professor, film-tv

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment, collegial faculty and administration, up-to-date facilities, and very bright students. Always pushing to keep current with world and industry events and processes.

Cons

Pay raises are a joke, barely keeping pace with yearly cost-of-living increases. Negotiate firmly at hiring or you'll regret it later.

1.0

Jan 24, 2026

13 Years of Experience: A Culture of Stagnation and Passive Management

Technician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

High Level of Autonomy: The primary benefit is a very flexible schedule. Because of a highly "hands-off" management style, there is little to no micro-management. Independence: If you prefer to work entirely on your own without daily direction or "punching a clock," the environment allows for a lot of personal freedom. Tenure Stability: The university provides a stable environment for those looking for a long-term role where they can manage their own day-to-day tasks.

Cons

Misalignment of Values: There is a visible gap between the university’s public image of excellence and its internal focus on mediocrity. Budgeting often prioritizes executive salaries over retaining skilled staff at the foundational level. Moving Goalposts for Advancement: Career progression is opaque. After 11+ years of service, I was asked to define my own "advanced" role, only to be told I still had to "prove myself" to obtain it. Passive Leadership: While the management style is flexible, it stems from a lack of engagement. Superiors often lack a deep understanding of departmental tasks, leading to a lack of guidance and professional development. Limited Financial Growth: Advancement opportunities are rare and often reserved for those willing to accept stagnant pay in exchange for a "yes man" culture.

Viewing 25 - 27 of 1,803 Reviews

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Jobs at Syracuse University

Part-Time Faculty: HED 712 Research on the College Student (Fall 2026)

Part-Time Faculty: EDU 420 Field Experience and Seminar III (Fall 2026)

Part-Time Faculty: MFT 603 Introduction to Trauma Studies (Spring 2026)