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State University of New York at Cortland

SUNY Cortland

Cortland, New York 13045-0900

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

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College town

Public town college in Cortland

State University of New York at Cortland is a public town institution in Cortland, New York. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A mid-sized campus of 5.9K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

68% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $60,236 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,951.

Established
1868
Motto
Seize the Moment, Feel the Momentum
Mascot
Blaze
Type
Public university
Conference
NCAA Division III
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

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51%Acceptance
SAT Avg
5,896Students
15:1Student:Faculty
68%Grad Rate
$60,236Earnings 10yr
$19,951Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate50.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
27%
First-generation
27%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,815
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,725
Room & Board$15,210
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$26,413
Average Net Price$19,951
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,272
$30–48K$13,846
$48–75K$18,050
$75–110K$19,602
$110K+$23,422

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

40.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

40

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

8

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

5

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

12

Drug Arrests

9

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
15:1

Programs (68)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

81%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
5,896
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 4%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate68.3%
Freshman Retention80.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,535
10 Years$60,236

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#33
vs 2024
Forbes
#495
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#45
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Learfield Sports

Ice hockeyGymnastics isGolf isField hockeyLacrosse divCross countryOutdoor trackIndoor trackLacrosse squadSoccer wonSoccer championshipGymnasticsLacrosse teamsLacrosseFootball

History & Fun Facts

  • History The State University of New York Cortland was founded in 1868 as the Cortland Normal School.
  • In 1941, by an action made by the Board of Regents, the institution became a four-year college known as the "Cortland State Teachers College," where students could earn a bachelor's degree.
  • In 1948, Cortland was a founding member of the State University of New York.
  • In 1961, the college was officially renamed as the State University of New York College at Cortland.
  • On January 1, 2023, the State University of New York changed the name of the college from State University of New York College at Cortland to the State University of New York at Cortland.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

139Very High

Estimated from NY state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
172 mi(298 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
190 mi(329 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
247 mi(428 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SYR Syracuse Hancock36 mi
ROC Rochester83 mi
ALB Albany122 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA262 mi · ~7h 34m drive
New York, NY172 mi · ~4h 58m drive
Hartford, CT189 mi · ~5h 28m drive
Providence, RI250 mi · ~7h 13m drive
Albany, NY124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
Syracuse, NY31 mi · ~54 min drive
Rochester, NY82 mi · ~2h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY138 mi · ~3h 59m drive
Philadelphia, PA190 mi · ~5h 29m drive
Pittsburgh, PA247 mi · ~7h 8m drive
Harrisburg, PA165 mi · ~4h 46m drive
Newark, NJ165 mi · ~4h 46m drive
Trenton, NJ181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

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