State University of New York at Cortland admits 50.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This moderately selective admission rate places the university in the middle range of four-year institutions, significantly more accessible than highly selective colleges while maintaining academic standards. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that State University of New York at Cortland is considerably more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, with an admission rate 33.9 percentage points lower than peers. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic credentials have reasonable admission prospects, though the university does evaluate applications holistically. For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests the need for competitive academic preparation while not requiring the exceptional credentials demanded by highly selective institutions. Students should approach State University of New York at Cortland as a realistic target school if their academic profile aligns with admitted student characteristics, while still including more accessible options in their college list. The moderate selectivity combined with strong outcomes makes this institution an attractive option for students seeking quality education with reasonable admission odds.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
State University of New York at Cortland enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both academic achievement and economic accessibility. The university serves 26.9% Pell-eligible students, indicating that more than 1 in 4 enrolled students come from lower-income families. Additionally, 27.1% of students are first-generation college attendees, demonstrating the institution's role in expanding higher education access to families without prior college experience. Transfer students comprise 28.1% of enrollment, showing significant pathways for students who begin their higher education elsewhere or return to college after time away. This student composition suggests that State University of New York at Cortland prioritizes both academic achievement and broad educational access in its admission decisions. The substantial representation of Pell-eligible and first-generation students alongside strong academic metrics indicates that the university successfully attracts high-achieving students from diverse economic backgrounds. Students from lower-income families should note that more than 1 in 4 enrolled students share their economic circumstances. First-generation students can find community among the 27.1% of classmates who are also the first in their families to attend college. The significant transfer enrollment suggests that students who begin at community colleges or other institutions have viable pathways to complete their degrees at State University of New York at Cortland.
With a 50.7% admission rate, State University of New York at Cortland is moderately selective but accessible to well-prepared students. The alternatives below offer different admission profiles while maintaining quality outcomes.
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State University of New York at Cortland demonstrates solid support for student success once enrolled, with retention and completion rates that exceed many peer institutions. The university maintains an 80.8% first-year retention rate, compared to a peer median of 73.2%, indicating that students are 7.6 percentage points more likely to return for sophomore year than at comparable institutions. The six-year graduation rate reaches 68.2%, substantially higher than the peer median of 49.3%, showing that students are 18.9 percentage points more likely to complete their degrees within six years. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 65.1%, creating a 3.1 percentage point gap compared to the overall graduation rate of 68.2%. This relatively small gap suggests that State University of New York at Cortland provides effective support systems for lower-income students, helping them succeed at rates close to their more affluent peers. The modest Pell completion gap indicates strong institutional commitment to supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds through degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect institutional support systems designed to promote degree completion, as evidenced by above-peer retention and graduation rates. Lower-income students should view the small Pell gap as evidence that the university has systems in place to support their academic success. Prospective students should interpret these completion metrics as indicators of the supportive academic environment they would experience if enrolled.
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