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#16 Best Public Universities in New York

SUNY Cortland Admission Requirements

Cortland, New York

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Your chances of getting into SUNY College at Cortland

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

59.8%
Admission Difficulty for SUNY College at Cortland
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SUNY Cortland is 59.8%.  Its admission rate is the 51st lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SUNY Cortland and can you get accepted?

SUNY Cortland is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 7,001 out of the 11,711 who applied were admitted.

SUNY College at Cortland typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SUNY Cortland?

60% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to SUNY College at Cortland you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1170 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

SUNY Cortland GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into SUNY College at Cortland?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SUNY Cortland are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as SUNY Cortland accepts 60% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SUNY Cortland is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #31 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SUNY Cortland is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted SUNY College at Cortland students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 2.95% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.74% Good
3.50 to 3.74 22.31% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 28.47% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 20.84% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.04% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.57% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.08% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

SUNY Cortland SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to SUNY College at Cortland. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. .

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

-
SAT Scores for SUNY College at Cortland
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 550
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for SUNY College at Cortland
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1170

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to SUNY College at Cortland?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SUNY Cortland is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1240. Students who get into SUNY College at Cortland score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  SUNY Cortland ranks #67 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SUNY Cortland regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1010, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

SUNY College at Cortland is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1165, you have around a 60% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 74% chance of getting in.

SUNY College at Cortland admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >74%
1165 to 1240 Avg + 60%-74%
1090 to 1165 Avg - 44%-60%
1015 to 1090 Reach 29%-44%
Less than 1015 Low <29%
Calculate My Chances 

SUNY Cortland ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

-
ACT Scores for SUNY College at Cortland
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for SUNY College at Cortland
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SUNY Cortland?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SUNY Cortland is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 27.  The school ranks #73 in New York for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

0 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to SUNY College at Cortland.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as SUNY College at Cortland is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SUNY Cortland for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 60% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 76% with a 27 ACT score.

SUNY College at Cortland admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >76%
24 to 27 Avg + 60%-76%
22 to 24 Avg - 47%-60%
20 to 22 Reach 35%-47%
Less than 20 Low <35%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

86% of SUNY College at Cortland freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 42% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted SUNY College at Cortland students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13.2%
Top 25% of class 41.9%
Top 50% of class 86%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

SUNY College at Cortland admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,396 5,315 11,711
Accepted 4,125 2,876 7,001
Acceptance Rate 64% 54% 60%
Enrolled 702 639 1,341
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 22% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to SUNY College at Cortland is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to SUNY College at Cortland and what student information is used for admission decisions?

SUNY College at Cortland Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at SUNY College at Cortland
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because SUNY Cortland is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1170 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1240 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 24 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to SUNY College at Cortland often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196149 IPEDS survey data for SUNY College at Cortland.

Last updated February 24, 2024