By Hank Russell
Enrollment across the State University of New York (SUNY) has increased for the third consecutive year. According to Governor Kathy Hochul, the ongoing growth highlights successful results from her commitment to expand access to higher education, including historic increases in operating aid, and expansion of financial aid.
Another reason, Hochul said, was the support for programs like SUNY Reconnect, which provides free tuition, fees, books and supplies for adult learners ages 25 to 55 who don’t already have a college degree to attend community college in high-demand fields, and the expansion of ASAP|ACE, the nation’s leading college retention and completion initiative. Since the launch of SUNY Reconnect in Fall 2025, more than 5,600 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program saving, on average, approximately $2,000 per year.
“Every New Yorker deserves the chance to build a better life through a quality education without breaking the bank, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering across New York State,” Hochul said. “SUNY campuses are welcoming more students for the third year in a row, showing that when we make higher education more accessible and affordable, we open the door to opportunity for everyone.”
According to SUNY data, 5,608 students went through Total Reconnect as of November 13. Of that number, Suffolk had the fourth most with 422 Total Reconnect students, behind Monroe (678), Broome (581) and Westchester (468). Nassau had 180.
“With the success of SUNY Reconnect and the continued rise in community college enrollment, more New Yorkers are taking advantage of the chance to earn a world-class, affordable degree in fields that lead to good-paying, high-demand jobs and a brighter future,” Hochul said.
Year over year across all sectors, enrollment is up 2.9%, and up 6.5% over the past three years. This fall, 387,363 students enrolled in SUNY — up from 376,533 the fall from last year and 363,612 in Fall 2022.
Based on SUNY data, first-time first-year enrollment is also up overall. Thai fall, there were 70,401 students — an increase of 3.1% year over year from 68,259 students last year and up 8.5% over the past three years from 64,873 students. Other results include:
- 5.0% enrollment increase at SUNY community colleges — driven by the governor’s SUNY Reconnect initiative — from 165,607 to 173,893 students
- 4.7% increase for transfer students
- overall enrollment gains across every SUNY sector for the third consecutive year — the first time this has happened since 2007-09
- international enrollment saw a 3.9% overall reduction this fall — with international enrollment at the graduate level down 13.8%
Among Long Island-based SUNY schools, Stony Brook saw a 2.2% increase over last year and a 0.9% rise from Fall 2022 to Fall 2025. Farmingdale’s enrollment went up 0.7% year over year and 0,9% over the past three years.
“SUNY is on the move, and thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, more students are choosing to pursue an excellent and affordable education at the SUNY institution of their dreams,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said. “We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for the strong support they continue to show SUNY as we work to continue academic excellence, upward mobility, research innovation, and student support throughout the SUNY System.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, leadership of Chancellor King, strong campus leaders, and remarkable faculty and staff, SUNY is continuing to build momentum and grow enrollment. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued investment and support for SUNY.”