New York Public Colleges Expect Enrollment Rise for Second Consecutive Year
TL/DR –
New York public colleges and universities are set to see a rise in student enrollment for the second year in a row, with SUNY experiencing a 1.1% increase in 2024 across its 64 campuses. To combat a national decline in student diversity, Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced the SUNY Top 10% Promise Program, which gives automatic acceptance to New York high school seniors graduating in the top 10% of their class at select SUNY campuses; this initiative will start with the fall 2025 semester. Preliminary data shows a 4% increase in enrollment at the University at Albany and SUNY’s Schenectady County Community College, and an overall increase across the City University of New York campuses.
New York Public Colleges Expect Increased Enrollment for Consecutive Year
Despite national trends indicating a dip in student enrollment, New York public colleges and universities are predicted to see a rise for the second year running, according to higher education leaders.
National reports suggest a decrease in student numbers and diversity this year’s freshman class, but New York’s educational institutions seem to be bucking the trend.
Last year, the State University of New York (SUNY) announced a 1.1% increase in enrollment across its 64 campuses, a first in the past decade. A spokesperson for SUNY expressed optimism about sustained growth this year, with final enrollment numbers to be confirmed next month.
Offsetting the national downward trend, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new initiative, the SUNY Top 10% Promise Program. This scheme guarantees automatic acceptance at select SUNY campuses for New York high school seniors graduating in the top 10% of their class.
Designed to attract more students to higher education and increase diversity, the initiative will kick off for the fall 2025 semester, with the likes of University at Albany, SUNY Geneseo, and Stony Brook University already participating. To qualify, students must meet specific academic readiness criteria, based on similar successful programs in California, Texas, and Idaho.
In response to the Supreme Court’s rollback of affirmative action in admissions, the program aims to reach disadvantaged students and provide them an opportunity for higher education. The goal is not just to boost numbers, but to empower students from underrepresented communities and provide a pathway to quality education.
The program will involve 68 school districts and individual charter schools across the state in its inaugural year. These districts were selected based on the high percentage of students from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds.
The state’s last budget increased the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grants to $1,000 scholarships for households earning under $125,000 per year. Assembly Higher Education Committee chair Pat Fahy recognized initiatives like the Top 10% Promise program as key to fighting the national enrollment trends.
Preliminary enrollment data suggest a 4% increase this year at UAlbany and SUNY’s Schenectady County Community College, with an overall increase at City University of New York (CUNY) campuses. Final enrollment numbers for all public colleges and universities are expected shortly.
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