There has been a noticeable rise in the number of students applying to SUNY Cortland over the past few years, but none as significant as the class of 2026.
Over 11,700 applications for admission were submitted collectively for the upcoming fall semester. In total, about 1,400 first-year students were admitted to SUNY Cortland for the fall 2022 semester. Over the past 33 years, this is the school’s largest first-year class.
The president of SUNY Cortland, Erik J. Bitterbaum, said, “This is an outstanding milestone.”
Students and their families are aware of the great academic, athletic, and social opportunities the university provides at a cost that is both reasonable and of the best quality.
“The faculty, staff, and alumni at SUNY Cortland are excellent, and they genuinely care about our kid’s success,” Bitterbaum continued.
In addition to the growing number of applications at SUNY Cortland, the City of Cortland has been ranked near the top 5 of “The Best College Towns in New York,” according to BestColleges.com. The ranking gave Cortland the title as one of the most student-friendly locales in the state of New York.
Highlighting the benefits to the local economy of being able to walk to housing and recreation, the abundance of entertainment choices in the surrounding area was another aspect of the ranking that stood out. Cherry Knoll Farms, Cortland Repertory Theater, and Greek Peak were among those featured.
Beyond its students, teachers, and staff, President Bitterbaum stated that the community in which SUNY Cortland is located is what makes the institution exceptional. “We are fortunate to work, study, and live in a safe environment with kind neighbors. Cortland is a fantastic site due to the combination of cultural, social, and natural interests,”adds Bitterbaum.
The City of Cortland and SUNY Cortland were last recognized in a National Outlet in 2019 when YourLocalSecurity.com listed them as one of the safest campuses in New York State.
“SUNY Cortland is one of the safest, healthiest, and most encouraging learning environments that students and parents could wish for,” Bitterbaum said. “It is truly gratifying to be acknowledged for something that we’ve long known to be true. I appreciate all of the campus staff members and our students for making SUNY Cortland such a special environment.”
On campus this past summer, up to $35 million worth of renovations were made and are still underway to help improve the quality of SUNY Cortland’s campus and surrounding area. Upgrades in academic structures, dorms, and larger walkways, are just a few that have been seen to incentivize more students to apply.