Student studying on bench on Middletown campus

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Fall 2026 enrollment at SUNY Orange grew 6.3 percent, aided by strong student retention, while part-time students make up the majority of the College’s 4,674 students (51.5 percent) for the first time since 2003.

The overall increase marks the fourth consecutive Fall of growth and extends the College’s streak of year-over-year enrollment expansion to 15 consecutive academic sessions—including Fall and Spring semesters as well as Winter and Summer sessions. Notable increases in continuing students (8.0 percent) and post-traditional learners ages 25 and above (11.5 percent) drove the growth. Part-time enrollment for Fall 2026 increased by 14.1 percent. All figures are based on census data captured after the first three weeks of the semester.

“Our efforts to support and retain students are working, and that’s a testament to the student-centered commitment of our faculty, staff and administration,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president. “The growth also shows that Orange County residents continue to see the value in a SUNY Orange education, regardless of their age or career aspirations.”

“The College has intentionally focused energy and resources toward enhancing the SUNY Orange experience for each of our students, and we are continuing to see the benefits of that work in our enrollment,” added Dr. Erika Hackman, SUNY Orange provost. “As our student body becomes more diverse, and as we are now attracting more adult students, we understand that our programming has to adapt as well, and we’ve done that.

“We have tremendous alignment between our academic affairs and student services divisions. Students can get academic help more easily now, and faculty can quickly refer them to tutoring and other services,” Hackman added. “Our advising and financial aid staffs are guiding students through the college process, while the Wellness Center and Center for Student Involvement are building a community where students feel they belong and can picture themselves succeeding. We also have a variety of federally funded and state-supported opportunity programs that are helping students create meaningful connections across both of our campuses.”

Since the College’s post-COVID low point in Fall 2022, enrollment has grown 27.1 percent. This Fall’s enrollment profile reflects increasingly varied pathways for students to access a SUNY Orange education. Transfer student enrollment is up 15.4 percent, and readmitted students (those who have been away from the College for at least one year) increased 7.3 percent.

Growth in adult enrollment has been fueled, in part, by SUNY Reconnect, which offers free tuition for students between the ages of 25 and 55 pursuing selected degrees in high-needs career areas as defined by Governor Kathy Hochul. Just last week, the Governor announced expanded eligibility for SUNY Reconnect by opening the program to students who have earned a prior degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s). Possessing a prior degree had previously made those prospective students ineligible.

Additional highlights from the College’s Fall 2026 enrollment profile:

• Adult enrollment grew fastest among students ages 35-39 (up 20.3 percent)
• The average student age remained 23 (students ages 18-19 make up one-third of enrollment)
• Students taking at least one class at the Newburgh campus increased 5.5 percent
• 5 percent of students live in Orange County

To learn more about SUNY Orange's academic programs, visit www.sunyorange.edu/getstarted, or contact the Admissions Office at (845) 341-4030 or apply@sunyorange.edu. The College will be holding an upcoming Admissions Open House at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 on the Middletown campus.