Students studying in Bailey Hall (SUNY Geneseo/Matt Burkhartt)
SUNY Geneseo has made remarkable gains by growing enrollment amid record demand while maintaining its academic strength and upholding its strong reputation for educational excellence and student success.
Geneseo saw a 10% increase in first-year and transfer applications, with first-time student enrollment nearly 7% above last year.
"We are proud of our incoming first-year students who earned their acceptance to Geneseo with outstanding high school credentials," says Costas Solomou, vice president for enrollment management at SUNY Geneseo. “As a public honors college, Geneseo pairs the rigor and mentorship of a top-tier liberal arts experience with the accessibility of a public mission. This year’s record interest, and the class we’ve enrolled, affirm that our approach is working for students from every corner of New York and beyond.”
Below are additional highlights of incoming students and growth during the past five years.
Record Demand and Academic Strength
- The College received nearly 18,000 first-year and transfer applications, a 10% increase over 2024.
- First-time student enrollment rose 6.8% compared to last year.
- Geneseo maintained strong selectivity with a 54% admit rate and an average high school GPA of 93.
Sustained Growth Over Five Years
- From 2020 to 2025, first-time new student enrollment at Geneseo grew 18.7%, reflecting sustained momentum and strategic outreach.
- This fall, Geneseo enrolled its largest transfer class in six years, strengthening an already dynamic student community.
Advancing Access and Affordability
- In a historic first, 30% of the incoming class are first-generation college students and 34% are Pell Grant recipients, signaling the college’s deep commitment to educational opportunity.
- Geneseo’s student body now represents 62 New York counties, 17 US states, and 15 countries, enriching the campus with a breadth of perspectives and experiences.
SUNY Geneseo's campus milestones align with New York’s broader higher education strategy. Governor Kathy Hochul has emphasized policies and investments that lower financial barriers and expand opportunities, measures credited with SUNY’s multi-year enrollment gains, including fee-waiver campaigns, direct and guaranteed admissions pathways, and strengthened student success supports, as shared in a recent press release from the Governor’s Office. SUNY system-wide, enrollment is up 2.9% year-over-year and 6.5% over the past three years, with first-time, first-year enrollment up 3.1% this fall.
“Governor Hochul’s leadership and New York State’s sustained investment in access and affordability are clearly resonating with students and families,” says Solomou. “At Geneseo, we’re seeing that momentum translate into a historic incoming class, one that is academically accomplished, socioeconomically diverse, and deeply committed to making an impact. We’re proud to contribute to SUNY’s multi-year growth and to welcome more New Yorkers and out-of-state students to an exceptional, affordable public education.”