Your chances of getting into SUNY College at Cortland
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at SUNY Cortland is 50.7%. Its admission rate is the 32nd 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, 8,046 out of the 15,867 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. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into SUNY Cortland?
51% 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.
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
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 51% 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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
SUNY Cortland SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by SUNY College at Cortland. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 540 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 550 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1090 |
| 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 #74 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 considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 51% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 66% chance of getting in.
SUNY Cortland ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 20 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 25 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 22 |
| 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 #66 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 considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 51% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 69% with a 27 ACT score.
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 | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 13.2% |
| Top 25% of class | 41.9% |
| Top 50% of class | 86% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 8,901 | 6,966 | 15,867 |
| Accepted | 5,034 | 3,012 | 8,046 |
| Acceptance Rate | 57% | 43% | 51% |
| Enrolled | 693 | 524 | 1,217 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 14% | 17% | 15% |
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?
| Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
| 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
| 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, 2025