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Future Students

Tuition

A group of students sitting outside

SUNY Cortland offers exceptional value for the investment you make in your future. In 2019, Cortland was the highest-ranked of all SUNY comprehensive colleges on Money magazine’s best value list. You’ll be pleased to discover our reasonable costs for tuition, fees, living expenses, books and transportation.

Financial aid

Advisor sitting with a student

The Financial Aid Office provides a range of financial aid services. Make this your first stop when looking for state or federal resources to help you fund an affordable education. Nearly 80 percent of SUNY Cortland students receive some form of financial aid.

Majors and minors

Students in Bowers Hall working on a formula

Undergraduate students can choose from strong academic majors and minors spanning the arts and sciences, education and in-demand professional fields. Graduate students can advance their careers through campus, online and hybrid learning options.

Kinesiology professor and student looking at a monitor while another student runs on a treadmill

Academic life at SUNY Cortland emphasizes experience-based learning opportunities that include research, internships and other fieldwork. This hands-on approach is one reason why 98% of recent graduates are employed or pursuing a graduate degree. 

Intramurals and sport clubs

Cortland men's ice hockey in action

Sport clubs are offered across three levels: instructional, recreational and competitive. All are led by students and receive limited funding. Nearly 40 clubs include 1,200 participants. Options include everything from cheerleading to jiu-jitsu to ultimate frisbee.  

Students engaged in an intramural game

Intramural programs cover three categories: weekly leagues, single-day competitions and late-night events. More than 30 activities exist at competitive and recreational levels, offering T-shirts and bragging rights to champions.

Night life and downtown

Performance downtown

Cortland Nites offers a weekly series of events during the semester sponsored by Campus Activities and Corey Union. They include mini golf, laser tag and $3 Movie Night plus visits from comedians, hypnotists and entertainers. You also can visit downtown Cortland for dining, entertainment and seasonal festivals.

Admissions FAQs

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, SUNY Cortland awards academic merit scholarships to a select number of incoming students. These awards are very competitive and all recipients are notified in their letter of acceptance. Accepted students also may apply for a limited number of endowed scholarships. Learn more about the different types of scholarships that students can earn at the university.

Is there a deadline to apply?

First-year students who are interested in early action admission must apply by Nov. 15. Early action is non-binding, meaning that students are not obligated to attend SUNY Cortland if they are accepted. The recommended application date for first-year students is Dec. 1.

The transfer admissions process is rolling. The recommended application date for transfer students who are interested in starting in the spring is Nov. 1; the recommended application date for transfer students who are interested in starting in the fall is March 1. 

Can first-year students have cars on campus?

Yes. All students can have a vehicle on campus, provided they have purchased a parking permit. Learn more about campus parking information.

Do you require an interview?

Interviews are not considered as part of the official application process.

Do you have a legacy admissions or scholarship program?

We do not offer a legacy admissions or scholarship program, although we always welcome letters of recommendation from SUNY Cortland Alumni.

Are internships available?

Of course. SUNY Cortland emphasizes hands-on learning in every discipline. More than 80% of SUNY Cortland students complete an applied learning experience, whether their path is a semester-long internship, grant-funded research or life-changing service. Learn more about Career Services, SUNY Cortland's Undergraduate Research Council and the College's Institute for Civic Engagement.

Are there any special admissions options?

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) welcomes applications from promising students who require special admissions consideration and qualify as economically disadvantaged according to specific guidelines. Students who excel in the arts, athletics or writing may be offered special talent admission, provided they also meet academic criteria.

Where can I go through study abroad?

SUNY Cortland housed the first study abroad program in the State University of New York system. The College’s International Programs Office continues that great work today, offering more than 60 programs from campus and the ability to study abroad through hundreds of additional opportunities in the SUNY system. Visit the study abroad webpage to explore the options in greater detail.

Can I change the major to which I applied?

Yes. Send a brief email to admissions@cortland.edu with your full name, date of birth, the major to which you applied and the major you’d like to pursue. We will let you know when the change has been made or notify you in the event that we cannot accommodate the request.

How many students return for their sophomore year?

Approximately 80%.

Is on-campus living required?

Yes, freshmen are required to live on campus for their first two years and transfer students are required to live on campus for one year. After that, students may remain on campus or move off campus.

Are the residence halls co-ed?

All residence halls are co-ed by floor for high-rise and suite-style buildings and by wing for the low-rise and corridor-style buildings.

How many students live on campus?

Approximately half of all undergraduate students live on campus, while the rest live in off-campus housing nearby. On-campus housing is available to all students.

Where are most students from?

The majority of undergraduate students — 95% — are from New York state, but the College receives applications from across the U.S. and the world. SUNY Cortland students represent 31 states and 45 countries.

Campus bus

Campus Bus

The campus bus system runs continuously throughout the day, from early morning to late at night. You can take the weekend shopping bus to local grocery stores. Friday and Saturday schedules include a downtown shuttle, which offers transportation to Main Street. You also can consult the bus schedule or download a smartphone application to track the current location of buses.

Transfer Student FAQs

Where do I send my official transcripts and other application materials?

Send transcripts and other materials to:

Undergraduate Admissions
SUNY Cortland
P.O. Box 2000
Cortland, NY 13045

Colleges that have the ability to send electronic (PDF) versions of transcripts directly to the Admissions Office will be considered official.  Please review your college transcript request options.  If needed, you may have to choose the "Send to a Third-Party Recipient" option and input admissions@cortland.edu as the recipient's email address.

Transcripts emailed to us directly from applicants are considered unofficial and cannot be used to make a decision.  Paper transcripts can be mailed to us by applicants as long as they are still in an official sealed envelope from the college.

Do I need to declare a major when I apply?

Yes. In order to be considered for admission all transfer applicants must choose a major.  To see our academic offerings please view our list of majors.  Please note that transfer students are not eligible for the Undeclared/Pre-major.  

What is the minimum GPA for admission?

2.5 is the minimum GPA to transfer and admission requirements may vary depending on intended major and number of college credits completed. More details are available on our Transfer Student Requirements page.

How many credits can I transfer?

You may transfer 64 credits from a 2-year college. Students with credit from four-colleges may receive additional credit hours toward degree requirements at Cortland. The maximum number of transfer credit hours accepted is 90.

Details concerning the credit evaluation policy can be found here: Loading...

How will my credits transfer?

Formal credit evaluations occur after acceptance. Potential students can review the Course Equivalency Charts we have for some colleges to determine how their courses match ours. Students can then review the college catalog to find out how those credits fit into the intended major.

If I earned college credits in high school will they transfer?

Yes. We will award credit for college coursework completed in high school. However, students will need to contact the college that awarded those credits and request an official transcript.

Is on-campus housing available for transfer students?

Yes. We require all new transfer students to live on-campus for one year (unless you meet the criteria for living off-campus), and we reserve space specifically for transfer students in several of our upperclassmen residence halls.

Information related to housing policies as well as detailed descriptions of the residence halls is available at: Residence Life and Housing

Can I apply for scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to a limited number of transfer students at the time of admission. No separate application is required, and recipients are notified in their acceptance letter.

The Phi Theta Kappa scholarship is awarded to a limited number of transfer students who are members of the PTK honor society.  Please submit a copy of your PTK induction certificate for consideration.

Can I receive financial aid?

Yes. To be eligible for financial aid, you will have to add SUNY Cortland to your FAFSA. The Financial Aid page will provide you more information on this process.

When can I register for classes?

All new transfer students will attend a Transfer Transition Seminar prior to the start of their first semester. During this one-day session, new students will meet with an advisor from their intended major and register for classes.

Where can I find more information about campus safety?

In accordance with the federal Clery Act, SUNY Cortland’s University Police Department (UPD) publishes a Campus Safety Report. This includes important safety procedures, monthly crime statistics and the many ways for students, faculty and staff members to report a crime. The Campus Safety Report receives additional input from the Vice President’s Office, Division of Student Affairs, and the following offices: Communications, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Residence Life and Housing and Student Conduct.

The report is available on the UPD webpage.

Clubs for every interest

Endless opportunity defines student groups and organizations. More than 70 options cover everything from academics to service to culture. You can start new clubs with some effort and the interest of a handful of friends.

A list of current clubs is available online.

Dining facilities

Nine dining facilities offer different experiences: unlimited residential dining, made-to-order hot meals or a quick cup of coffee and snack. These options cater to every appetite and budget.

Visit Dining Services

Parking

All first-year students are allowed to have a car on campus. They must park in the Route 281 lot, which is easily accessible. The campus bus makes frequent runs between this parking lot and middle and upper campus.

Learn more about parking permits.