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State University of New York at Cortland
State University of New York at Cortland admits a bit under 60% of applicants; strong grades put you in the conversation at State University of New York at Cortland, and the data below says what "strong" means.
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State University of New York at Cortland anchors the college town of Cortland, NY, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Special Education and Teaching, where graduates median $74,079 four years out. 27.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,901 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 81.1% of first-years come back for a second year.
State University of New York at Cortland won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, State University of New York at Cortland received 15,867 applications and admitted 8,046 (50.7%), with 1,217 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. State University of New York at Cortland's 59.8% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How State University of New York at Cortland compares
| State University of New York at Cortland | New York median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 59.8% | 70.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,874 | $17,408 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $60,236 | $60,236 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors State University of New York at Cortland: $60,236 median at year ten, versus $60,236 across New York institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,874 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $18,784. For non-residents, State University of New York at Cortland's $18,784 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,901 undergrads, State University of New York at Cortland is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
68% graduate within six years. Roughly 32% don't — ask a State University of New York at Cortland tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at State University of New York at Cortland
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching | $74,079 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $66,644 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,431 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $63,201 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $62,524 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $62,275 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $62,122 |
| Biology, General | $61,879 |
| Political Science and Government | $60,296 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $60,027 |
| Criminology | $56,593 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $56,466 |
| Psychology, General | $56,366 |
| Sociology | $53,524 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $52,654 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,067 |
| History | $51,043 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,687 |
Median earnings for these 18 State University of New York at Cortland programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $60,236 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 33 additional State University of New York at Cortland programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for State University of New York at Cortland?
State University of New York at Cortland doesn't look at test scores; its 59.8% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is State University of New York at Cortland's acceptance rate?
50.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,046 admitted from 15,867 applicants.
How much does State University of New York at Cortland cost?
In-state tuition is $8,874; out-of-state students pay $18,784. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do State University of New York at Cortland graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $60,236 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New York
- Stony Brook University — 49% admitted
- Binghamton University — 38.6% admitted
- Syracuse University — 45.9% admitted
- Union College — 43.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.