Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Cortland, New York
50.7% Acceptance Rate
State University of New York at Cortland — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
50.7%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1165Avg SAT
$26,413Annual Cost
$60,236Grad Salary
26.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
50.7%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1165
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1125–1195
Avg Net Price
$19,951
Need-Based Aid
26.9% receive Pell
SUNY Cortland, established in 1868, is a premier public college for teacher education, exercise science, and outdoor recreation. Known for its physical education legacy and extensive study abroad network.
The 191-acre campus includes the state-of-the-art Park Center for athletics, the Brauer Museum of Outdoor Education, and the SUNY Cortland Downtown Gallery. Its location near the Finger Lakes provides exceptional outdoor education laboratories.
State University of New York at Cortland Acceptance Rate
State University of New York at Cortland is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of State University of New York at Cortland is 50.7%. This means that 51 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 50.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.25
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
SUNY Cortland GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at SUNY Cortland is 3.7. SUNY Cortland is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.90-4.10 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.40 and 3.7, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
SUNY Cortland GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at SUNY Cortland utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.7, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.30 – 3.49
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.29
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate: approximately 51?60% depending on source and year (Niche 60%; other sources 51%); Early Action deadline November 15 (notification by January 1); rolling admissions otherwise, but applications may close when maximum offers are extended - there is no guaranteed open window beyond November 15; Common App and SUNY Application both accepted ($50 application fee).
- No supplemental essays beyond the standard Common App / SUNY personal statement (250?650 words, choose one of seven prompts) and a SUNY-specific additional context statement (up to 250 words); at least one letter of recommendation required (teacher or counselor); test-optional - scores considered if submitted but not required; mid-50% ACT 22?27, SAT 1090?1240 for submitters.
- Sport management ranked #23 nationally (Niche 2025, top 5%), oldest sport management department in the SUNY system (est. 1985), 5,000+ alumni in the field; Cortland is the largest teacher education program at any public university in New York State (#12 nationally in subject-specific education, College Factual 2025); kinesiology offers a direct 3+2 Applied Kinesiology BS / Athletic Training MS pipeline and a 3+3 Exercise Science BS / DPT program (with SUNY Upstate Medical University).
- SUNY Cortland's Athletics Department holds 26 Division III national championships across 11 sports and 108 individual national titles; 17 of 22 teams won SUNYAC championships in 2025 (all-time conference record); the Student Life Center (148,800 sq ft) is recognized by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association as the nation's most outstanding recreation facility; the annual Cortaca Jug football rivalry with Ithaca College set the all-time single-game Division III attendance record (45,161) at MetLife Stadium in 2019.
- The Rigor Metric: At SUNY Cortland, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SUNY Cortland
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on State University of New York at Cortland's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into SUNY Cortland Without SAT or ACT?
State University of New York at Cortland does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
State University of New York at Cortland Average SAT Score: 1165
The average SAT score of the admitted students at State University of New York at Cortland is 1165 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1165 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1165 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1195 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. State University of New York at Cortland allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1125, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SUNY Cortland. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1165 | 1125 | 1195 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1125 then you are below most of the admitted students at SUNY Cortland and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1195 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) are good but the admission staff at SUNY Cortland tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SUNY Cortland
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SUNY Cortland is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Apply by November 15 for Early Action - Applications Can Close Without Warning Under Rolling Admissions
SUNY Cortland uses rolling admissions with no general hard deadline other than November 15 for Early Action (notification by January 1). The critical language in Cortland's own admissions materials is that "first-year applications may close once the maximum number of admission offers has been extended." This is not a formality - it means a student who applies in February or March may find the application has closed entirely, not merely that their chances have dimmed. Students who identify Cortland as a target school should apply in August or September at the latest, not in the common mid-year rush. EA applicants receive decisions by January 1 using identical review criteria to regular applicants; there is no selectivity penalty for EA.
Sport Management, Kinesiology, and Education Applicants Are Competing for Limited Seats in Nationally Ranked Programs
SUNY Cortland's sport management department is the oldest in the SUNY system (enrolling students since 1985) and ranked #23 nationally out of 448 schools by Niche in 2025 - top 5% nationally - with 5,000+ alumni in the field and a required fieldwork component within Cortland's own Division III athletics department. The kinesiology department's four majors represent one of the largest undergraduate enrollments at Cortland. Cortland is also the largest teacher education program among public universities in New York State, ranked #12 nationally in subject-specific education by College Factual 2025. A student applying to these programs with a perfunctory application is competing against students who specifically chose Cortland for these programs. The personal statement and recommendation letter carry real weight in this context.
BFA Applicants in Musical Theatre or Studio Art Must Complete a Separate Nomination and Audition/Portfolio Process
SUNY Cortland offers a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and a B.F.A. in Studio Art - both of which require a separate special talent admission pathway beyond the general Common App or SUNY Application. Only applicants nominated by a SUNY Cortland faculty or staff member are eligible for special talent consideration, and this nomination must occur before an admissions decision is made. Musical theatre applicants must complete an audition process; studio art applicants must submit a portfolio per department guidelines. Students applying to these BFA programs who do not know about the nomination requirement will simply not be evaluated for them - they will be processed as general applicants and placed into whatever major they listed without any special talent review. Faculty contact and the nomination process must begin well before the application deadline.
Use the Personal Statement to Address Cortland's Specific Program Strengths - Not Generic College Ambitions
SUNY Cortland accepts both the Common App and the SUNY Application; both use the same seven-prompt personal essay format (250?650 words, choice of one prompt). The SUNY Supplemental Form also requires an additional brief statement (up to 250 words) explaining academic performance context or history gaps. At a school that explicitly bases decisions on "academic merit, potential and other talents and interests," the personal statement is the primary opportunity to connect the student's background to Cortland's specific program strengths. A student in kinesiology who names the 3+2 Applied Kinesiology/Athletic Training program (leading directly to an MS without a separate graduate admissions process) or the 3+3 Exercise Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy track (with SUNY Upstate Medical University) is making a specific, non-transferable argument about fit that no other SUNY school can replicate.
Expert Insight:
The most consequential misunderstanding about SUNY Cortland's rolling admissions is the belief that "rolling" means applications are always open. Cortland's own language explicitly reserves the right to close applications once maximum admission offers have been extended. A student who is waitlisted at their first-choice school in April and turns to Cortland as a late backup may find the application no longer accepting submissions. The correct counseling move is to treat Cortland's November 15 Early Action deadline as the functional operating deadline - not as an advantage to seek, but as the outer edge of reliable access. Students who apply in September or October are not being premature; they are protecting their ability to actually receive a decision.
SUNY Cortland Profile
Full Name
State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland)
City
Cortland
State
New York
ZIP Code
13045-0900
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SUNY Cortland Degree Worth It?
Getting into SUNY Cortland can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. SUNY Cortland offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at SUNY Cortland is $68,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.34%.
How much does a degree from SUNY Cortland Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at State University of New York at Cortland is $26,413. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at State University of New York at Cortland is $19,951.
26.9% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 60.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to SUNY Cortland and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At State University of New York at Cortland, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SUNY Cortland as your choice in the form.
How much does a SUNY Cortland Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $60,236. An average SUNY Cortland graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than State University of New York at Cortland. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as State University of New York at Cortland. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | 1157 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than State University of New York at Cortland. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at SUNY Cortland
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by State University of New York at Cortland →
Frequently Asked Questions About SUNY Cortland Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $60,236 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $26,413 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
26.9% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of State University of New York at Cortland is 50.7% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.7. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.4, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.4, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.3 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.7, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to State University of New York at Cortland is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1165 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1125–1195.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.