Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, in the heart of central New York state. The university is known for its strong programs in communications, business, public administration, and athletics, with popular majors including communications and rhetorical studies, psychology, finance, marketing, and political science. Syracuse is particularly recognized for its top-ranked Newhouse School of Public Communications, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, successful NCAA Division I athletics (especially basketball and football), and strong alumni network in media, politics, and business. The campus sits on a hill overlooking the city of Syracuse, a mid-sized urban area known for its snowy winters, blue-collar character, and passionate sports culture, with the iconic Carrier Dome serving as a central landmark for both the university and the surrounding community.