The State University of New York is reporting enrollment gains for the third consecutive year.
“The ongoing growth highlights successful results from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s commitment to expand access to higher education, including historic increases in operating aid, expansion of financial aid and support for programs like SUNY Reconnect, which provides free tuition, fee41s, books and supplies for adult learners ages 25 to 55 who don’t already have a college degree to attend community college in high-demand fields, and the expansion of ASAP|ACE, the nation’s leading college retention and completion initiatives,” a news release from Hochul’s office stated.
Since the launch of SUNY Reconnect in fall 2025, more than 5,600 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program saving, on average, about $2,000 per year.
“Every New Yorker deserves the chance to build a better life through a quality education without breaking the bank, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering across New York state,” Hochul said. “SUNY campuses are welcoming more students for the third year in a row, showing that when we make higher education more accessible and affordable, we open the door to opportunity for everyone. With the success of SUNY Reconnect and the continued rise in community college enrollment, more New Yorkers are taking advantage of the chance to earn a world-class, affordable degree in fields that lead to good-paying, high-demand jobs and a brighter future.”
Year over year across all sectors, enrollment is up 2.9%, and up 6.5% over the past three years. First-time, first year enrollment is also up overall with an increase of 3.1% year over year, and up 8.5% over the past three years. Other results include:
• 5.0% enrollment increase at SUNY community colleges.
• 4.7%t increase for transfer students.
• Overall enrollment gains across every SUNY sector for the third consecutive year — the first time this has happened since 2007-09.
• International enrollment saw a 3.9% overall reduction this fall — with international enrollment at the graduate level down 13.8%.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is on the move, and thanks to Gov. Hochul’s leadership, more students are choosing to pursue an excellent and affordable education at the SUNY institution of their dreams.”
Hochul and the state Legislature have directed additional funding to public higher education over the last three years, including nearly $400 million in operating aid for SUNY state-operated campuses over that time period, a $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund, back-to-back operating aid increases for community colleges for the first time in decades, dedicated annual funding for ASAP|ACE, and ongoing support of New York’s longstanding Educational Opportunity Program, the release stated.