New York Colleges See Something for The First Time in 15 Years

SUNY colleges and universities across New York State are celebrating this month after having something happen to them that hasn't happened in 15 years.

The last few years have been some of the best years in a long time for many of the State University of New York (SUNY) institutions across the state. Not only have many of them undergone major improvements to the type of learning offered at various campuses, but they have also experienced a big jump in enrollment at campuses across New York.

SUNY Schools Enrollment Jumps Again

According to New York State, SUNY colleges and universities are reporting an enrollment increase for the second year in a row, with enrollment growing 2.3% across the SUNY system, which divides its campuses into four categories, university centers, doctoral-granting institutions, comprehensive colleges, technology colleges, and community colleges. The 2.3% rise in enrollment across the system covered the Fall 2024 term.

SUNY Enrollment Continues to Rise

Approximately 375,000 new SUNY students began in the fall making 2024 the second year in a row and the first back-to-back rise in SUNY enrollment in 15 years. From Fall 2022 to Fall 2024, SUNY enrollment grew by 3.4% according to News 10. The 2024 numbers were all positive across the board this year with state-operated campuses rising 2.7%, doctoral institutions up 2.2%, comprehensive colleges up 2.7%, technology colleges up 5.0%, and community colleges up 1.9%.

SEE ALSO: New York Spent Almost $1 Billion On This

New York Governor Kathy Hochul credits the enrollment growth in the SUNY system to the $277 million in state funding that was granted to help directly with student success. State officials hope the growth will continue in 2025, and it should, as Gov. Hochul's Top 10% Promise program will begin giving top high school graduates in New York automatic admission to the SUNY system in an effort to keep them in New York.

New York's Top 10% Promise Program

Gov. Hochul announced the Top 10% Promise program in October giving students in select schools whose GPAs are in the top ten percent of their class automatic admission to nine participating campuses. In a statement about the program Gov. Hochul said,

"Access to higher education has the potential to transform New Yorkers’ lives and change the trajectory of a student’s life. Offering New York students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class direct admission to SUNY campuses will help reduce barriers to higher education while ensuring our students can continue their education and pursue their dreams right here in New York State."