ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The State University of New York reports a third straight year of student growth and stabilized budgets. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. predicted on Monday that historic increases in state funding and better enrollment will almost close a projected $1 billion budget gap for the university system within a decade.
The February 2026 update to SUNY’s Long-Term Enrollment and Financial Sustainability Report showed the university system on track to achieve a balanced budget by 2034. Enrollment grew across all SUNY sectors for the third year in a row, a trend last seen between 2007 and 2009.King said the university delivers on the promise of affordable higher education.
“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,” King said in a press release announcing the report.
Study uncovers disparities in New York’s college financial aid
The report spotlighted SUNY Reconnect for giving free community college coursework to over 5,600 students who were pursuing associates’ degrees in fall 2025. Students can’t already have a degree to be eligible for that program, must be between 25 and 55, and working on a degree in a high-demand sector like nursing, advanced manufacturing, or artificial intelligence…