Accredited, Nonprofit Higher Education at Suffolk
Suffolk University appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Online Schools for Finance.
Ranked Times Higher Education’s 291st best institution, Suffolk University is a private, coed AICUM member in Boston that provides 46 bachelor’s, 25 master’s, and four doctoral degrees, including four fully online options, plus the Early College Program with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the BS in Environmental Science builds a 126-credit, four-year curriculum led by Dr. Patricia Hogan where undergrads can join the Youth Climate Action Network, intern with Greenpeace, and engage in the Center for Urban Ecology. Chaired by Dr. Lauren Nolfo-Clements, the BS in Radiation Therapy follows a 126-credit, JRCERT-accredited certification path with 1,300 clinical hours at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and others for 100 percent job placement.
On Blackboard since 1999, Sawyer Business School has delivered the Northeast’s oldest Online Master of Business Administration in 24 months for over 80,000 graduates with seven 36-credit, AACSB-accredited specialties, such as Business Intelligence and Health Sector Management. Directed by Dr. Amy Marks, the Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology builds a 72-credit, five-year dissertation sequence where post-grads can conduct Early Childhood Risk & Resilience Lab research, intern with Bay Cove Human Services, and become McLean Hospital Fellows. Other Suffolk degrees include the BA in Art History, BFA in Interior Design, BS in Chemistry, BA in Government, MA in Communication, MSM in Marketing Research, MS in Medical Dosimetry, and LLM in Global Law Technology.
About Suffolk University
Suffolk University was established in 1906 as Archer’s Evening Law School when Boston University graduate Gleason Archer Sr. enrolled the first jurisprudence students. In 1907, it was renamed the Suffolk School of Law after Massachusetts’ fourth-most populous county. Twenty-seven years later, Suffolk broadened its studies with the College of Arts & Sciences. In 1936, the Sawyer Business School was launched with a night-school format. In 1937, Marian Archer MacDonald became Suffolk’s first female graduate. In 1950, Suffolk was notably visited by famed Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams. In 1952, Suffolk University was first accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In 1965, Massachusetts Land Court Chief Justice John E. Fenton became Suffolk’s president. Three decades after, Suffolk University ventured abroad to create the Madrid campus. In 2005, Suffolk started the first dorms in Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall.
Budgeting $719.74 million annually, Suffolk University now employs 671 faculty teaching 5,044 undergrad and 2,142 post-grad Rams from 60 countries on its two-acre Beacon Hill home, at the North Campus, in Madrid, or entirely online with 80+ clubs like the Healthy Minds Alliance. In 2010, Suffolk had the Barry M. Goldwater Award for Math, Science, and Engineering winner. In 2012, Suffolk University received the Digital Education Achievement Award. Suffolk University earned a 2018 ABCA Academic Excellence Award too. The U.S. News & World Report named Suffolk 136th for law, 137th for engineering, and 117th for public affairs. On Niche, Suffolk is America’s 25th most diverse college. The Princeton Review recognized Suffolk University for the seventh-best college city. PreLaw Magazine crowned Suffolk the 10th most innovative school. College Factual picked Suffolk 55th in New England.
Suffolk University Accreditation Details
On March 5, 2020, the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) accepted focused evaluations from Suffolk University to keep the Level VI accreditation status current until the next 2022-23 evaluation visit under Provost Julie Sandell, Ph.D., who accepted the Stanley L. Robbins Award. Located 14 miles north via Cambridge Street in Burlington, Massachusetts, this nifty six-state New England accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following specialized Suffolk approvals:
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- American Bar Association Section of Legal Education
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Suffolk University Application Requirements
Admission at Suffolk University is classified as “selective” by the U.S. News & World Report since 85.6 percent of its 8,325 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen. Freshman Rams must achieve a qualifying academic profile with 16+ college-prep credits. First-year applicants without a diploma must submit their GED or HiSET score report. Accepted undergrads have a median GPA range of 2.85 to 3.72. On average, freshmen achieved an 1123 SAT score and a 23.8 ACT score. Starting in 2021, Suffolk will offer test-optional entrance though. College of Arts & Sciences transfers must have at least 45 semester hours remaining for their bachelor’s degrees. Transferred credits graded C- or higher are deemed eligible. International undergrads must present at least 80 TOEFL iBT or 550 TOEFL PBT scores. The Graduate School requires an accredited four-year education with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better. GRE and GMAT scores are waived for averages above 3.40. The Suffolk Law School accepts a mean LSAT score of 152.
Suffolk University has a non-binding Early Action period ending on November 15th. Priority undergraduate deadlines are March 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring. The Graduate School prefers applicants before April 15th and October 15th respectively. Executive MBA cohorts must file by June 30th. Online master’s programs close on May 5th and August 19th. MS in Mental Health Counseling majors must apply by April 1st. The MS in Medical Dosimetry deadline is January 15th. Submit a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology forms before December 10th. Prospective Rams cover a $50 ($60 if graduate) Suffolk or Common Application fee online. More information can be gleaned from emailing admission@suffolk.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2020-21, the Suffolk University Bursar’s Office has listed full-time semester tuition of $20,621. The undergraduate sticker price is $41,242 annually. Studying part-time incurs $1,213 per credit or $3,639 per course. Attending the Suffolk Madrid Campus costs less at $15,742 per term. Living at the Boston housing like the Modern Theatre Residence Hall adds $6,970 to $7,910 each semester for housing. Unlimited meal plans for Sargent Cafe are $1,787 extra each semester. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate students are billed $807 per credit. The Suffolk Law School charges daytime students $51,060 and evening students $38,296 each year. The Master of Laws is uniquely priced $2,155 per credit. Non-law graduate programs range from $750 to $1,595 per credit.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the Office of Student Financial Services at 8 Ashburton Place links 97 percent of new, full-time Suffolk Rams to tuition aid averaging $19,723 each for $20.19 million combined. Institutional funds include the Frank Buckley Scholarship, Charles Borstel Memorial Scholarship, Bevilacqua Scholarship, Allen Ash Scholarship, Judge Salvatore Aloisi Scholarship, Harry Dow Memorial Award, Foley Hoag Centennial Scholarship, Alfred Ford Scholarship, Barbara Connolly Hughes Scholarship, Brian MacDonald Scholarship, Stavros Ligris Scholarship, and Graciela Rojas-Trabal Scholarship. The New Student Merit Scholarship gives $4,000 to $8,000 each year based on the GPAs of freshmen and transfers. The Academic Leadership Scholarship cuts tuition by 50 percent for the top five Suffolk Law School entrants. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant and Unsubsidized Direct Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 002218. Bay Staters also utilize the MASS Grant, Gilbert Matching Grant, Gear Up Grant, Public Service Grant, and more.
Get to know Business Insider’s 21st most underrated college by exploring its 75+ accredited, top-notch New England programs at the Suffolk University website.
