Founded in 1906, Suffolk University. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 5,191 full time undergraduate students, and 2,270 full time graduate students.
The Suffolk University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 341 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Suffolk University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
84%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
910-1120
ACT Range
20-25
Admissions at are considered Less Selective, with ,26% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
74% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 36% were in the top quarter, and 13% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Suffolk University.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
11%
“We know about current events and vote”
54%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
36%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
4%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
36%
“I feel extremely safe”
64%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
5%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
25%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
36%
“They keep regular office hours”
57%
“They”re always available”
18%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
79%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
7%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
43%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
25%
“We only party on weekends”
25%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
4%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
54%
“There might be people who do”
39%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
11%
“We know about current events and vote”
54%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
36%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
54%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
4%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
36%
“I feel extremely safe”
64%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
5%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
25%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
36%
“They keep regular office hours”
57%
“They”re always available”
18%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
79%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
66 Students rated on-campus housing 3 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
66 Students rated off-campus housing 3.2 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
77 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
88 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
88 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
88 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
88 Students rated local services 4.6 stars. 76 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
88 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.
Suffolk University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Suffolk University?
34 Students rated Suffolk University
Shania
I had always known that I wanted to attend Suffolk University, when I was finally given the opportunity to do so it was a dream come true. The university itself is in the heart of Boston surrounded by shops such as Dunkin Donuts leading towards Tremont and Washington St. As a student, most jobs close to campus are extremely close to campus itself. If you had wanted to work at Chipotle you can apply online and walk down the street towards Washington St. If you wanted to work at Dunkin Donuts there is one on Tremont St on both ends. However, as a result of Suffolk's location it is also incredibly frustrating to attend at first when you enter as a freshman. The campus itself is small, however, due to the buildings being spread out there is a chance you may get lost or struggle to find your classes due to the layout of the campus itself. You may also be uneasy as a student due to the homeless population which occupies Tremont constantly, however, you will most likely find them further up Tremont rather than directly on the freedom trail which Suffolk resides. As a commuter, it is difficult to make friends due to the fact that there is no parking or no way for you to stay in Boston after 5pm due to how dangerous it may get at night when the city becomes full of life.
durra
okay school. not something a totally regret but im sure i would be happier with another choice. the professors are okay if u actually make effort to know them and the value behind the way they teach. the food is not good. but you are in the city with plenty of food options. i wouldn't have even gotten the meal plan if it wasnt mandatory.
Maggie
Suffolk University is a fun, involved school with students from many different backgrounds and passions. It is in an amazing location in downtown Boston near the Boston Common, Downtown Crossing, and Newbury Street. My professors were very helpful and passionate about helping students succeed. There are also many different extracurriculars, specially for people who enjoy arts, music, and theatre.
Maximo
Suffolk University Law School offers a diverse and supportive community with experienced faculty and practical learning opportunities. Its location in downtown Boston provides students with access to a range of legal experiences. However, the cost of attendance is high and some students report a competitive atmosphere.
Scorra
Picking a college is always a different decision to make but so far my experience at Suffolk made me feel as though I made the right choice. My first overall impression started at orientation where I was quickly eloped into this active and inclusive environment. When moving in, despite being in a pandemic Suffolk really tried to connect us all as students that were going through the same experience where they throughly promoted a safe and adaptable learning environment even if it wasn’t what we all wanted coming into college. Personally my dorm was really comfortable yet, it has been hard making friends but the city being our backyard balances out the opportunities to explore. Academically I have been challenged and I feel as though I became a better student because of it and I feel having those good professors so far contributed to that. Overall there is something for everyone at Suffolk, there is always room to try, learn and explore new things.
Leila
Disclaimer: I attend Suffolk University - Madrid Campus. I have never studied at the main campus.
Our campus in Madrid is tiny and not well-publicized to incoming students. Our social media pages lack tons of helpful information. As an ambassador to the Madrid campus, one of the first questions I always hear from incoming students is: What is the housing like? This is one of my favorite questions to answer because student residences are completely different from dorms in the United States. At the Madrid campus, students can choose one of three options: the residence hall, a host family, or, if the student is at least a sophomore, they can rent their own apartment. As a resident of the dorms, I can accurately say that Spanish residence halls are sure to blow an American student's mind. Unlike the bleak and dreary prison squares of most American universities, Suffolk Madrid has partnered with an amazing residence hall. Residents of the dorm move into fully furnished rooms, complete with sheets and towels. But...it gets better. Twice a week a cleaning crew will return your room to its original pristine state. The crew will mop the floors, wipe the hand-prints off the window, and change the sheets and towels. In addition, several dorm rooms have their own balconies. I have never stayed with a host family but I have heard rave reviews from students who have. For those hoping to be truly immersed in Spanish culture, there is no better way to achieve that goal than by living with a host family. The Madrid campus receives few students who wish to live off-campus because these two school-sponsored housing options allow for quick connections to be made.
I must say, though. As great as the accommodation part of the residence hall is, I find Spanish food leaves much to be desired. Because the campus is located in Spain, the dining hall serves foods common to the country. Do not be alarmed. There is nothing wrong with the food served at the dorms. I simply find that Spanish food is not as flavorful or spiced as the cuisine I am used to.
Suffolk Madrid is a small campus with about 100 students every semester. Because of this, we have one building that serves the entire student body. The Suffolk Madrid building has recently been undergoing some renovations. However, even before these changes started, I loved the building. The student lounge is every new student's dream place. It's filled with posters of helpful tips, tourist destinations, and popular restaurants to make Madrid living easy. When class is in session, each classroom is filled with no more than 30 students. These small classes allow for deeper discussion. I prefer these small classes because they allowed me to get to know my professors.
The professors at Suffolk Madrid are extremely qualified for their jobs. The possess the unique quality to motivate their students to learn more about the subject matter. There are several courses that stand out. The first one that comes to mind are all of the Spanish courses. Living in Madrid, these Spanish classes become a survival tool. They are taught by top-notch professors who understand the need to learn the basics as well as quick conversation phrases that will aid us as we explore the city. In addition, classes that focus on the Spanish government and the European Union are eye-opening. In my opinion, knowing about the government of the country where you live is helpful in understanding the native people. I truly enjoy learning new things at Suffolk Madrid.
I realize I have mentioned this many times, but let me say it again. We are campus of 100ish students. Because we are such a small school, clubs tend to come and go as the participants graduate from the campus. However, the school maintains a governmental body semester after semester. The Student Council plans themed events and introduces new students to the city.
Our campus is located 20 minutes from the city center. Madrid boasts an excellent public transportation system which allows the Suffolk Madrid students to easily travel throughout the city.
Overall, I would rate Suffolk Madrid as a 4 out of 5 stars. The campus has an incredible location and the experience is made even better with the support of the administration staff and the professors. The small campus allows the students to make strong friendships. Although we lack clubs and sports, we spend quality time together at nearby ice rinks, tapas bars, and in other European countries.
I feel that Suffolk university is a home for everyone because it adds a home type of vibe. Even if you are far from you're home it still makes it feel like the Suffolk community is family. It adds this because they will always come to support even if you are in sports.
Gianna
I think Suffolk University is a safe zone school in which provides the proper education and dedication of not only the students but faculty members as well. Certainly a gold mine school for ideas to roam free to better the community while having a safe and drama free school.
Eric
Suffolk University is a great school. The school is about 50% made up of diverse students. This is amazing because you can learn about different cultures and perspectives. Suffolk University is located near the financial district. This is perfect for a student like me who enjoys networking and meeting individuals smarter than me.
I am president of the finance club at Suffolk University, which has been amazing. We are bringing eight firms this semester so students can learn from industry leaders. This wouldn't be possible if Suffolk university didn't approve, but they're always open to new ideas!
My overall opinion of Suffolk university is I love it and highly recommend going!
Let me end with a story.
The dream I have is to become the best motivational speaker in the world. This dream came from leadership opportunities Suffolk university provided. I do not come from much, but this has been the greatest blessing of my life. Because when I accomplish something, it is so genuinely earned and not given. People love listening to my words of encouragement because they see my actions back up what I say; I am always the hardest worker in the room. It is a gift to be able to work. I am the president of the Finance Club and ambassador of the business school. I have had internships at Fidelity and Merrill Lynch, all through hard work and a dream. I need this money to stay in school! Please help me! I appreciate the opportunity, thank you!
Angela
Honestly the best university I’ve attended. Professors are kind and helpful and they actually want you to succeed. Students are so intelligent and hardworking that it motivates me to work harder too. Campus is nice and clean. I have never once felt unsafe while at Suffolk. It is also a pretty diverse university.
machel
I believe that Suffolk University is overall a very good school. All the aspects that make it great and unique are aspects that can help you shape your career. The weaknesses it has are those that can be fixed and don't affect your overall career. They may affect your experience there, but I can safely say that as long as you utilize the multitude of resources that the school has to offer, your career will be what you want it to be.
Sofia
Suffolk University has provided me with so many amazing opportunities I never would have thought about exploring. There is a large community of people who want to see you succeed. Whether those people are students and peers, faculty, higher administrators and coordinators, and even our lunch faculty love seeing us be healthy and growing. There are rarely feel moments in which I feel alone because Suffolk makes sure that their helpful hands are extended as far as they can reach. Whether or not their grasp is met, is dependent on the student. However, if support is ever needed at any point in time then there is no hesitation to reach out for it.
Kira
I love Suffolk University! I think for a University that does not have a secluded campus they do a great job of making sure everyone is involved. I always feel like I am included! I am an honors student in the business school, and they have a lot of networking opportunities for us. I knew that this school would give me the opportunities I was looking for the moment I took the tour.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Suffolk University is 84%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Suffolk University doesn't have a lot to offer its students in my opinion. I will be transferring to the University of New Hampshire for a more college experience.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about Suffolk University is the constant temptaion to aviod school work. Living and going to school in the very middle of the city lead many students to party a lot more than study, and at a level a lot higher than average campus dwelling college kids. There is also no sense of community, downtown Boston is your campus and that is not for everyone.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I tell them that Suffolk's Student Activity Center is one of the best at any school I have attended. They have clubs for every race, interest, ethnicity, and ideology. It is a very diverse campus and it aims to please all students. They center is extrememly helpful for new students who want to meet people. They can join a student organization and gain friends for life!
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing about Suffolk University is the lack of housing on campus. Housing is not guaranteed for anybody, which puts a strain on maintaining friendships with other classmates. Also, because of the housing issue, there are numerous on campus groups that only meet during the weekday when a lot of students hold jobs or internships off campus.
Suffolk's academics are really outstanding. Although it is not the most difficult school to get into, most students are very motivated and interested in their classes. The professors I have had so far are extremely dedicated and clearly love what they do. Their focus is not on trying to make the class as hard as possible, but to make sure you understand the material and to challenge you.
The small class sizes are the best part about Suffolk's academics. My classes have ranged from 15-30 students. Professors talk to students, not at them and make an effort to learn names. Most classes are not boring lectures, but discussions where students' opinions are valued.
I am a marketing major in the Honors Program, and I strongly suggest that you look into the Honors Program to see if you qualify. Honors scholars currently receive full tuition, priority housing and class registration, and have many other special privileges such as networking events and internship opportunities.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
Suffolk has a sufficient variety of clubs and sports. One distinct feature about Suffolk is that there is no football team and we are a Division III school. Also, the only sports venue on campus is a basketball/volleyball court. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you are looking for in a college. Although althetics are not a prominent part of student life, it is still there and taken advantage of by many students.
There are many clubs that students can get involved in. These include ethic/religious groups, theater, choirs, charity organizations, government and clubs relating to certain majors. The problem is that most of these clubs meet at the same time (Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 1-2). I strongly recommed getting involved with something that interests you early on to become more familiar with student life and to meet people with similar interests to you.
The dorms at Suffolk are much nicer than dorms at other schools. There is 150 Tremont, which is the traditional hallway style dorm, Miller Hall, where 2 rooms share one private bathroom, and 10 West, which has apartment-stlye rooms. However, there are limited dorming opportunities. Many students have been denied housing, so send your deposit in early. The students that do not receive housing find apartments. This is where most of the party scene of Suffolk takes place, so make friends with someone with an apartment if you are into that.
At the beginning of the year, a lot of students in the dorms leave their doors open and are very open to making new friends. It is up to you to take advantage of this opportunity and not to be shy.
Although much of the Boston nightlife is 21+ and there is a ban on 18+ clubs, there are still a few places that have 18+ nights.
Suffolk is definitely different than colleges you see in the movies. There is no tree-lined campus with historic buildings and frathouses. However, Suffolk has a lot of things that suburban colleges can not offer. It's smack in the middle of downtown Boston and mostly everywhere you want to go is within walking distance. My friends who go to suburban colleges brag about the Dunkin' Donuts on campus or the shuttle bus to Target. At Suffolk you can walk to Downtown Crossing, Faneuil Hall, The North End, Newbury Street, and Copley Plaza, nevermind all the other parts of Boston that are only a few minutes away on the T.
Although the big city seems overwhelming, Suffolk has a small campus so that you will not be lost in the crowd. When applying to colleges, I wanted a small, suburban campus and wanted nothing to do with the city. Once I visited the campus, I realized that Suffolk was a small community within a large city, giving it the best of both worlds.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Suffolk University is as diverse as a university comes. We have people from all over the country, as well as all over the world; people who like sports, politics, music, photography, science, you name it. There are no "clicks" or stereotypes at Suffolk University, which is something I love. It allows you to walk around campus and say hi to a variety of different people without feeling self-conscious or awkward. Suffolk is one big loving community and what ever type of person you are, you'll fit in here.
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
There are the rich "Suffolk is the only school I got into because my parents gave a huge grant" kids who walk around looking down at you from their Gucci sunglasses and scoff at anyone who doesnt look like they're going to a photoshoot on their way to a monday morning class. Equally as obnoxious are the pretentious, artsy segment of NESAD's (New England School of Art and Design) students who look like they're straight out of an urban outfitters catalogue and sit outside 150 Tremont chain smoking cigarettes and talking about how much they love Vampire Weekend. There is a large international population that mostly keeps to themselves and then there are the "I could be going to Northeastern or BU but I got a free ride here" kids who mostly make up the honors program, therefore there's no chance in hell you'll ever see one of them in your classes if you got an average score on your SAT's. Suffolk is very cliquey, especially if you live in the dorms because there are so few students that you see on a day to day basis (most of Suffolk is a commuter campus) ...Then there are the minority that are actually nice, friendly, accepting people who cant really afford to go on shopping trips for designer clothes (because they're traditional college students without a trust fund) , wear pajamas to class occasionally and don't judge people by what type of music they listen to.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
93% of students attending Suffolk University receive some sort of financial aid.
32% were awarded federal grants.59%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
