For Parents

Choosing the right college for your child is an exciting time.

We also know it’s a time when you’re sorting through a lot of information. SUNY Schenectady has been the right choice for thousands of students as they chart a course for their future. Maybe they want to take the first two years here and then transfer on as juniors to earn their bachelor’s degree in just two additional years. Or they might be interested in one of our career degree programs or certificate programs so that they are well-prepared to immediately find employment. Their goals might be different, but the advantages of a SUNY Schenectady education are the same.

Affordability – At $4,968 per year (New York state residents who show a certificate of residence), SUNY Schenectady is the most affordable college in the Capital Region, and a great place to start your four-year degree. Our transfer degree programs allow students to complete their first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, saving students up to $30,000 in college costs[1].

Financial Aid Packages and Scholarships – 78% of full-time students at SUNY Schenectady have financial aid. In 2022-2023, the SUNY Schenectady Foundation awarded scholarships and awards totaling approximately $341,000 to students to ease the burden of tuition, fees and books. 

Excelsior Scholarship – Through the Excelsior Scholarship, your son or daughter may be eligible for free tuition. SUNY Schenectady is a member institution for the state-aid program approved under former Governor Cuomo’s Free-Tuition Plan.

Diverse Academic Programs – We offer more than 55 transfer degrees, career degrees, certificates and program options within our five academic divisions. With this diversity of programs, plus daytime, evening, online and hybrid courses, students are able to meet with an advisor and craft a schedule that works for them.

Internships – You will see our students out in the local community and beyond as they fulfill meaningful internships that help them to establish invaluable relationships with professionals in their chosen careers while gaining real-world experience. Our students have interned at hundreds of businesses and organizations including the Kentucky Derby, Walt Disney World, the New York State Assembly, local school districts, law firms and law enforcement agencies, among many others.

Excellent Faculty – When we ask students what makes their SUNY Schenectady experience special, most often we hear, “I love my professors!” Our faculty are experts in their fields as: lawyers, scientists, authors, counselors, pilots, chefs, restaurateurs, law enforcement officers, entrepreneurs, musicians and recording engineers. They enthusiastically share their expertise with students, from the essentials students need to know, to the latest trends. Our students also appreciate that faculty are approachable and answer their questions. Our professors are truly dedicated to the success of their students and it shows every day in their classes.

A Close-Knit Community and Great Resources – Our average class size is 17. This means that students are able to engage with faculty and other students in their classes and to feel empowered as they grow during their college experience. Outside of the classroom, we offer free tutoring, computer labs, supportive counseling, free ridership on CDTA buses, TRIO Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Program, and disability resources, among others - important resources to help our students succeed.

Transfer Agreements – As a SUNY community college all of our A.A. and A.S. degree programs (transfer programs) satisfy the SUNY Pathways roadmap. Once a student has graduated from SUNY Schenectady with a transfer degree, they will have completed the first two years toward a SUNY bachelor’s degree and are guaranteed admission to a SUNY four-year college. Through our transfer agreements with SUNY and private colleges, our students transfer seamlessly as juniors.

SUNY Delhi Bachelor’s Degree Programs – Our partnership with SUNY Delhi enables students to take the last two years toward their bachelor’s degrees right here on the SUNY Schenectady campus.

An Enriching Experience – In addition to an excellent academic experience, SUNY Schenectady also offers women’s and men’s bowling; free membership to the YMCA for students who have paid the student activity fee; and 30 student clubs and organizations, a great way to connect with other students and have some fun!

[1] College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges Trends in Student Aid 2016