SUNY Cortland Makes Best Small-Town Colleges List

08/20/2015 

SUNY Cortland has been named one of the nation’s top 50 small-town schools by BestColleges.com based on the College’s high level of student involvement in the community, the availability of local outdoor education opportunities and its environment for student success.

SUNY Cortland checked in at No. 32 on the list, which bases its methodology on student life factors as well as other metrics tied to enrollment.

“This recognition makes me proud on many levels: as a local leader, a member of the campus community and a graduate of SUNY Cortland,” said City of Cortland Mayor Brian Tobin ’94, who also serves as head coach of the College’s swimming and diving teams.

“It’s further proof that our city remains a great place to live and receive an education, and that both community members and college students should be proud to call Cortland home.”

BestColleges.com highlighted a wide range of academic programs, a campus commitment to healthy living and proximity to a downtown scene with small-town charm in its description of the College. Schools on the list are recognized for offering many opportunities to join student clubs or social activities, personalized educations, and affordable housing options and tuition.

The website, which ranks colleges on everything from individual academic programs to amenities, also listed SUNY Cortland as one of its greenest universities earlier this year for the College’s environmental efforts.

Seven institutions within the State University of New York system made the best small-town colleges list, including the College at Brockport, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego and SUNY Plattsburgh. Earlier this summer, Consumers Digest recognized SUNY Cortland as one of the nation’s 50 “best values” among public colleges and universities. Most recently, the Princeton Review included the College on its “Best in the Northeast” list for 2016.