What is the SUNY System?
SUNY stands for State University of New York. It is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States. The system is made up of 64 institutions including research universities, academic medical centers, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and technology colleges. There are about 3 million SUNY alumni. A complete list of SUNY schools can be found below.
2 Year SUNY Community Colleges
The SUNY system is comprised of 30 community colleges. These community colleges provide students the opportunity to earn associate degrees and offer different certificates. Students also have the ability to attend a community college for 2 years and transfer to a 4-year college for their last two years if they choose. Some benefits of a community college include smaller classes, affordability, and flexibility. Contrary to popular belief, most community colleges offer on-campus living if a student is interested in that.
Technology Colleges
Technology colleges focus on training students for jobs and careers that are currently in demand. The programs are hands-on and provide students with real world experience, so they are ready when they enter the workforce. The technical colleges in the SUNY system offer over 300 academic programs which can be obtained through certificate programs, associate programs, bachelor programs, and masters programs.
University Colleges
These are colleges that specialize in undergraduate education. When people think of “college” these are most likely the schools that would fit that mindset. Students can earn various bachelor and master’s degrees from these schools. Most of these schools are located in smaller cities or towns. A lot of these schools also offer athletic programs and events for their students.
University Centers
University centers, in the SUNY system, specialize in undergraduate teaching, research, and advanced graduate studies. All schools that fall under this category are research institutes and offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The SUNY system has five statutory colleges. These are schools that receive funding from the state of New York in order to provide specific programs. The programs are hosted by Cornel University and Alfred University. The programs consist of:
- Alfred University – New York State College of Ceramics
- Cornell University – New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Cornell University – New York State College of Human Ecology
- Cornell University – New York State College of Industrial and Labor Relations
- Cornell University – New York State College of Veterinary Medicine
Complete List of SUNY Schools
2 Year SUNY Community Colleges
| School | In-State Tuition | Enrollment |
| SUNY Adirondack | $5,340 | 3,034 |
| SUNY Broome | $5,355 | 5,228 |
| Cayuga | $5,290 | 2,157 |
| SUNY Clinton | $6,222 | 950 |
| Columbia Greene | $5,094 | 1,083 |
| SUNY Corning | $5,442 | 2,367 |
| Dutchess | $4,404 | 5,655 |
| SUNY Erie | $5,575 | 9,356 |
| Fashion Institute of Tech | $24,220 | 8,555 |
| Finger Lakes | $5,158 | 3,417 |
| Fulton-Montgomery | $5,170 | 1,776 |
| SUNY Genesee | $4,640 | 3,188 |
| SUNY Herkimer | $5,320 | 1,959 |
| Hudson Valley | $5,812 | 7,695 |
| SUNY Jamestown | $5,850 | 2,492 |
| SUNY Jefferson | $5,424 | 2,614 |
| Mohawk Valley | $5,266 | 4,171 |
| SUNY Monroe | $5,336 | 11,878 |
| Nassau | $5,880 | 16,964 |
| SUNY Niagara | $4,923 | 4,073 |
| SUNY North Country | $6,008 | 995 |
| Onondaga | $5,484 | 7,055 |
| SUNY Orange | $5,580 | 4,900 |
| SUNY Rockland | $5,182 | 5,595 |
| SUNY Schenectady | $4,944 | 2,940 |
| Suffolk County | $5,792 | 20,566 |
| SUNY Sullivan | $5,690 | 1,010 |
| Tompkins Cortland | $6,046 | 2,264 |
| SUNY Ulster | $5,340 | 1,981 |
| SUNY Westchester | $5,036 | 12,571 |
Technology Colleges
| School | In-State Tuition | Enrollment |
| SUNY Alfred | $8,570 | 3,665 |
| SUNY Canton | $8,389 | 3,067 |
| SUNY Cobleskill | $8,654 | 2,270 |
| SUNY Delhi | $8,360 | 3,435 |
| SUNY Farmingdale | $8,306 | 9,005 |
| SUNY Maritime | $8,283 | 1,633 |
| SUNY Morrisville | $8,670 | 2,815 |
University Colleges
| School | In-State Tuition | Enrollment |
| SUNY Brockport | $8,412 | 7,134 |
| Buffalo State | $8,210 | 8,395 |
| SUNY Cortland | $8,536 | 6,333 |
| SUNY Empire State | $7,405 | 8,622 |
| SUNY Fredonia | $8,488 | 4,366 |
| SUNY Geneseo | $8,651 | 5,522 |
| SUNY New Paltz | $8,254 | 6,616 |
| SUNY Old Westbury | $8,143 | 4,481 |
| SUNY Oneonta | $8,421 | 5,923 |
| SUNY Oswego | $8,440 | 7,090 |
| SUNY Plattsburgh | $8,369 | 5,272 |
| SUNY Potsdam | $8,462 | 3,296 |
| SUNY Purchase | $8,698 | 3,968 |
University Centers
| School | In-State Tuition | Enrollment |
| SUNY Albany | $10,011 | 13,320 |
| Alfred University | $29,188 | 1,621 |
| SUNY Binghamton | $9,853 | 13,702 |
| University at Buffalo | $10,099 | 20,735 |
| Cornell University | $55,188 | 14,815 |
| SUNY Downstate Medical Center | $6,670 | 1,846 |
| SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry | $8,874 | 1,790 |
| SUNY College of Optometry | $9,370 | 330 |
| Stony Brook University | $6,870 | 17,522 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | $8,503 | 3,023 |
| Upstate Medical University | $7,771 | 1,537 |
Map of SUNY Schools
Application Process
Students have the option of applying to SUNY schools through the online undergraduate application or via a paper application. Almost every student chooses to do the online application – 99% in 2017. The application is a standard application and asks all the standard questions.
Some schools will require supplemental action. This may consist of an essay, letters of recommendation, activities resume, and high school transcripts. Students will be able to upload their resume via the Supplemental Application under the “application details.” Your high school counselor will have to upload all other additional documents via their portal which is called the “SUNY Counselor Portal.” Talk to your counselor to have these additional documents submitted.
Concerned about writing an essay for college? Check out some good essay hooks to help start your essay.
Early Decision
Some SUNY schools offer an early decision process. These schools are NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Geneseo, Maritime, and Environmental Science and Forestry. The applications for College of Ceramics and Maritime are due November 1st, while the applications for Geneseo and Environmental Science and Forestry are due November 15th and December 1st, respectively. Students can only use early decision for one college choice. Students are asked to make a tuition deposit by January 15th and withdraw all other college applications if they are admitted. Early decision is binding and is only offered for fall freshmen.
Early Action
Some SUNY schools offer an early action program. These schools are Albany, Binghamton, University at Buffalo, Cortland, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Purchase, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Most applications are due by November 15th – Albany and Binghamton are due on November 1st, and Oswego is December 1st. Students will have until May 1st to make a decision if they are accepted. Early action is non-binding and only offered for fall freshmen.
