SUNY Empire sees largest enrollment since 2018

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — SEPTEMBER 9, 2024) Empire State University begins the Fall 2024 term with its largest enrollment since 2018. 11,139 full-time and part-time students began classes Sept. 3, up 10 percent over last year. 3,348 are new students, an 11 percent increase over last year.

While colleges and universities nationwide are facing declining enrollments, SUNY Empire is emerging as a clear choice among students seeking high-quality, online education opportunities. SUNY Empire’s support programs and prior learning credits are crucial to providing students at all stages of life to pursue a college education.

These efforts create an incredibly diverse student body:

• 90 percent have credits from previous institutions
• 70 percent work full time
• 46 percent are guardians of others

By providing a quality online education, Empire State University is also seeing a growing number of Generation-Z students and first-generation students, who make up 55 percent of our student population.

President Lisa Vollendorf said, “As New York state’s first and only public online institution, we are well positioned to drive educational opportunity for learners of all ages across the state and the nation. Our enrollment increase reflects our commitment to providing flexible, accessible, high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of today’s learners.”

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Andrea Hennessy said, “We are meeting the needs of New Yorkers and beyond by providing access to affordable and flexible degree programs. SUNY Empire offers generous transfer credit options and credit for prior learning. Students can begin their degree, or like many of our students, complete their degree at SUNY Empire. We also partner with health care and community organizations, unions, and other groups that want to recruit, retain, and upskill their workforce.”