Public SUNY university founded in 1868, known for strong athletics and comprehensive liberal arts education.
SUNY Cortland offers 50 majors and 38 minors through three academic divisions: arts and sciences, education and professional studies, and additional professional programs. The college employs over 600 faculty members across 28 academic departments and provides 33 graduate majors plus four certificates of advanced study. The institution is ranked 33rd (tie) among regional universities by U.S. News & World Report (2025–2026) and 45th among master's universities by Washington Monthly (2025).
The 211-acre main campus features 30 traditional and modern buildings, including 14 residence halls housing approximately 3,000 students. The 2015 Student Life Center spans 150,000 square feet and includes a three-court gymnasium, swimming pool, indoor running track, rock climbing wall, and dining facilities. SUNY Cortland also operates outdoor education centers at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks and the Brauer Education Center near Albany. Over 100 student clubs are active on campus, and the college maintains 18 international partner universities.
The Cortland Red Dragons compete in NCAA Division III and have won 25 national titles, including 18 NCAA championships. Notable achievements include men's football's 2023 national championship, women's cross country's seven titles between 1989–1997, and men's lacrosse's 2009 championship. The college is one of only five U.S. institutions to finish every year in the top 25 NCAA Division III programs since 1995. The annual Cortaca Jug rivalry with Ithaca College is considered one of Division III's most prominent matchups.
As of fall 2023, the undergraduate body is 76% White, 12% Hispanic, 4% Black, with 28% low-income students receiving Pell grants. The college maintains an endowment of $76.9 million (2025). Specific employment outcomes and median salary data were not provided in available sources.