PLATTSBURGH — For the first time since 2021, SUNY Plattsburgh has seen an increase in its total headcount enrollment to more than 4,500, a nearly three percent increase from fall 2023 to 2024.
“Our enrollment growth over the past two years reflects our commitment to providing an inclusive, high-quality education for all students,” said SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi.
“This progress demonstrates the dedication of our faculty and staff, whose hard work continues to strengthen our community and support student success.
“This is the first time since 2021 that our total headcount has been above 4,500 students,” he said.
“This fall’s increase is a positive sign that enrollment at SUNY Plattsburgh has stabilized and is now trending upward in alignment with our strategic plan.”
SUNY-WIDE ENROLLMENT UP
On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced overall enrollment gains for the last two years across the State University of New York colleges and universities, including in first-year undergrad enrollment.
This marks the first time in 15 years that all SUNY schools have seen back-to-back increases in overall enrollment.
“As governor, I have remained committed to increasing access to our colleges and universities — from removing financial barriers and expanding our tuition assistance program to launching SUNY’s first ever direct admissions program,” Hochul said.
“Every New Yorker deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education, and I look forward to building on this progress to ensure even more students can enroll at one of our world class institutions.”
At SUNY Plattsburgh, the official fall 2024 headcount is 4,541 students, consisting of 3,826 undergraduate students and 715 grad students, according to the Office of Enrollment and Student Success.
The 4,541 headcount is 124 students above the earlier May 2024 budget projection of 4,417 students.
GRAD ENROLLMENT CONTRIBUTES
Fall 2024 enrollment SUNY-wide was up 2.3 percent, compared with fall 2023, for a total of 376,155 students across the system. Last year, enrollment was up 1.1 percent, year over year, the first increase in a decade.
Locally, fall 2024 enrollment increased by nearly three percent, primarily because of a 102 percent increase in graduate student enrollment as compared to 2023.
It also includes a 31 percent increase in new transfer student enrollment. New first-year student enrollment saw a one percent increase over last fall.
At his welcome breakfast for faculty and staff at the beginning of the 2024 academic year, Enyedi expressed his gratitude to the offices of undergraduate and graduate admissions as well as the Office of Financial Aid, which facilitated the increases, “particularly in an environment of intense competition for students and a flawed FAFSA rollout.”
Last year at this time, students anxiously awaited financial aid packages, which drive their decisions as to where they’ll go for college.
Glitches in the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid delayed the awarding of aid though spring.
“Looking ahead, we are focused on expanding access and further enhancing the educational experience for first-generation, Pell-eligible and transfer students,” Enyedi said.
“Together, we’re building a vibrant campus environment that prepares students for future opportunities and drives regional impact.”