SUNY Touts Enrollment Growth and Fiscal Stability Plan in Annual Report

The state university system projects a balanced budget by 2035 after facing a $1 billion gap in 2024.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:33am

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SUNY's 2026 annual report highlights progress in enrollment growth, graduation rates, research, and financial sustainability across the state university system, including at SUNY ESF. After facing a $1 billion budget gap in 2024, SUNY now projects it will completely balance its budget by 2034-35 through measures like increasing enrollment, state funding, and fiscal discipline. The report details SUNY ESF's five-year stability plan to address its structural deficit, which includes staff cuts and enrollment growth.

Why it matters

SUNY's financial stability and enrollment growth are critical for providing affordable, high-quality higher education to New Yorkers. The report demonstrates SUNY's resilience in the face of challenges facing the broader higher education sector, including declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. SUNY ESF's stability plan is a key part of the system's efforts to address its fiscal challenges.

The details

SUNY's 2026 report highlights several areas of progress, including a 3% enrollment increase from 2024 to 2025 and a 6.5% increase over the past three years - the first time the system has seen three consecutive years of enrollment growth since 2009. SUNY also aims to increase graduation rates for associate and bachelor's degree programs. To address a $10 billion maintenance backlog, SUNY plans to request over $1 billion in funding. At SUNY ESF, a five-year stability plan includes cutting 18.9% of full-time staff while increasing undergraduate enrollment by 16.1% by 2029. The plan was made possible by a 33% increase in state funding.

  • In 2024, SUNY faced a $1 billion gap between revenue and expenses.
  • SUNY now projects it will completely balance its budget by 2034-35.
  • SUNY enrollment increased by almost 3% from 2024 to 2025 and 6.5% over the past three years.
  • SUNY plans to request over $1 billion in maintenance funding in 2026.
  • ESF's five-year stability plan was released last summer.

The players

SUNY

The State University of New York, a comprehensive system of public higher education in New York state.

John King Jr.

The Chancellor of SUNY.

SUNY ESF

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, a specialized SUNY campus.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York.

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What they’re saying

“SUNY is on the move and expanding programs and initiatives to support our students and campuses throughout New York State. By following our comprehensive plan, and through the strong support and commitment from Governor Hochul, the State Legislature, and the SUNY Board of Trustees, SUNY is delivering on our promise of an affordable and high-quality higher education for all New Yorkers.”

— John King Jr., SUNY Chancellor

“The report tracks with ESF's current focus areas. Despite the challenges higher education is up against, it is great to see enrollment growth and continued focus on student retention through new programs and investments.”

— ESF Spokesperson

What’s next

SUNY's Board of Trustees plans to request over $1 billion in maintenance funding in 2026 to address the system's $10 billion critical infrastructure backlog.

The takeaway

SUNY's comprehensive plan to address its fiscal and enrollment challenges demonstrates the system's resilience and commitment to providing affordable, high-quality higher education to New Yorkers. The progress highlighted in the report, including at SUNY ESF, suggests SUNY is on a path to long-term stability and growth.