State University of New York at Cortland campus

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SUNY Cortland Admission Requirements

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Cortland, NY
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#19 Best Public Universities in New York
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SUNY Cortland Admission Overview

SUNY Cortland admission requirements are competitive. Last year SUNY Cortland admitted 59.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-). SUNY Cortland is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SUNY Cortland Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

59.8%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for State University of New York at Cortland

Acceptance Rate

The SUNY Cortland acceptance rate is 59.8%. Last year, 10,505 of 17,571 applicants were admitted. That is the 47th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

SUNY Cortland is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

State University of New York at Cortland typically 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. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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SUNY Cortland GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.7

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at SUNY Cortland typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. SUNY Cortland is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

The school ranks #30 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled State University of New York at Cortland freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

SUNY Cortland SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1090-1240

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 540
  • Math 550
  • Composite 1090
SAT 25th percentile scores for State University of New York at Cortland

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 620
  • Math 620
  • Composite 1240
SAT 75th percentile scores for State University of New York at Cortland

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SUNY Cortland typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1090–1240) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. SUNY Cortland ranks #73 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1090 to 1240

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

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

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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SUNY Cortland ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-27

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 20
  • Math 25
  • Composite 22
ACT 25th percentile scores for State University of New York at Cortland

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 28
  • Composite 27
ACT 75th percentile scores for State University of New York at Cortland

Average ACT

Incoming testers at SUNY Cortland typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 22–27) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SUNY Cortland places #71 among colleges in New York for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 27

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

86% of State University of New York 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 State University of New York 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

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the SUNY Cortland chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

State University of New York at Cortland admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,734 7,823 17,571
Accepted 6,361 4,136 10,505
Acceptance Rate 65% 53% 60%
Enrolled 768 626 1,394
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 15% 13%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to State University of New York at Cortland and what student information is used for admission decisions?

State University of New York at Cortland application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to State University of New York at Cortland is $50.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at State University of New York at Cortland
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SUNY Cortland is test-free for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 59.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to State University of New York at Cortland often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196149.

GPA calculator: State University of New York at Cortland GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026