CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez announced in his State of the University Address that the university’s total enrollment has risen by 3% this year, marking the second consecutive year of its growth.
This increase has added nearly 15,000 students over the past two years, reversing prior declines.
The surge has been attributed to a notable rebound in community college enrollment, which struggled significantly during the pandemic, and an uptick in new graduate student admissions — the first such increase in four years.
In fall 2023, Baruch had 16,035 incoming undergraduate students, up from pre-pandemic enrollment and enrollment during the pandemic.
Rodríguez delivered the State of the University address on Nov. 20 at Hunter College, focusing on enrollment rebounds, career opportunities and institutional changes.
The annually-held address underscored the university’s vision while spotlighting its challenges and successes.
Rodríguez celebrated the success of the CUNY Reconnect program, which has helped re-enroll over 40,000 former students in the past two years.
By pairing returning students with advisors, the initiative aims to break down barriers to higher education and support New Yorkers in completing their degrees.
The CUNY Reconnect program focuses on re-engaging students who left before completing their degrees.
The program also aims to help students tackle common barriers like navigating financial aid and enrollment.
The chancellor also highlighted the university’s strides in career development, noting that nearly 1,000 students — many from community colleges — secured internships through the Spring Forward program this year, a 60% increase from 2023.
Over the last five years, CUNY facilitated over 20,000 paid internships, building relationships with more than 31,000 employers to strengthen pathways from education to employment.
Rodríguez also announced that the CUNY School of Medicine, established in 2016, will transition from The City College of New York to the CUNY Graduate Center, becoming an independent institution.
The school is notable for its commitment to addressing healthcare shortages — 75% of its graduates practice in New York, with 40% serving underserved areas in the city.
CUNY’s focus on enrollment growth was evident in its efforts across campuses.
At Baruch, enrollment figures reached historic highs during the fall, with the official headcount surpassing 20,000 students for the first time.
This was a 2% increase from last year.
Undergraduate enrollment grew by 2.5%, while transfer enrollments saw a significant 14% jump.
CUNY has implemented programs aimed at providing opportunities for students and addressing challenges in higher education.
By offering accessible programs and establishing partnerships, the university seeks to accommodate its growing student population.
