SUNY Cortland Ranked One of America’s “Best Colleges”

09/10/2013 

SUNY Cortland was once again listed as one of the nation’s best colleges in U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey, jumping up 10 places in the ranking of regional universities in the Northeast.

Cortland is ranked 69th, up from 79th, among the masters-degree-granting schools listed in the North region of the magazine’s Best Colleges 2014 edition.

The ranking is based on a number of factors, including graduation rates, admission selectivity and freshmen retention. SUNY Cortland’s numbers in those areas are among the best of SUNY’s comprehensive colleges.

“We are very proud of our institution and the educational experience we offer our students,” SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum said. “We strive to make sure our students have every opportunity to reach their goals and it’s nice to have an outside organization recognize the quality of our effort. We appreciate this opportunity to share our story with a wide audience.”

SUNY Cortland’s six-year graduation rate of 69 percent is one of the highest in the SUNY system. Its “success rate” ¾ a measurement SUNY uses to track persistent students who are still enrolled at Cortland or another institution after six years ¾ is 92.6 percent, the highest of any SUNY comprehensive college.

Only 44 percent of all student applicants to SUNY Cortland were admitted in 2012, and 61 percent of all incoming freshmen were in the top 25th percent of their high school class.

Of those freshmen, 83 percent continued on at SUNY Cortland after their first year.

Every year, U.S. News compiles and releases its rankings in an effort to educate students and parents about higher education options. This year, they compared information from more than 1,800 institutions and ranked them in national, regional and other categories.

“As we continue to work with Governor Cuomo to position SUNY and New York to lead in affordability, access and quality, and President Obama puts these issues into focus nationally, we are proud to be recognized and ranked favorably by U.S. News & World Report,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Congratulations to SUNY Cortland and the many campuses representing SUNY on this list.”