Recognized for Student Access and Graduate Earnings

UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is one of only 32 colleges and universities in New York State to earn Carnegie's “Opportunity” designation, a prestigious recognition that underscores the university's commitment to expanding access to higher education while preparing graduates for long-term career and earnings success.

This designation reflects SUNY Poly’s efforts to intentionally align access, student success, and workforce outcomes. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Education, SUNY Poly graduates earn 20 percent more than the national median salary for four-year college graduates while carrying less than half the national median student debt. This combination of strong earnings outcomes and lower debt burdens demonstrates the impact of SUNY Poly’s student-centered approach and its role in expanding opportunity for graduates.

What Does the Carnegie Opportunity Designation Mean for Students?
Simply put, it means SUNY Poly is delivering the outcomes students and families hope for when they invest in a college education. Students have access to an affordable, high-quality education, personalized support, and meaningful hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for success after graduation. The impact of these experiences is clear: SUNY Poly graduates earn more and borrow less than many of their peers nationwide, and that’s exactly what the Opportunity designation recognizes.

“At a time when many students and families are questioning the value of higher education, SUNY Poly is demonstrating that excellence and affordability can go hand in hand,” said SUNY Poly Provost Dr. Andrew Russell. “This designation recognizes the outcomes that matter most to students and families: strong career prospects, economic mobility, and a return on their investment in higher education. It affirms that students can access a high-quality education while gaining the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed to succeed after graduation.”

SUNY Poly has continued strengthening high-impact programs and institutional supports that advance student success and career readiness. In addition to expanding the economic mobility-centered Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, the university recently launched its new STAR advising model, a comprehensive and collaborative approach that connects students with faculty mentors, professional academic advisors, and campus support services to promote academic, personal, and career success. Programs such as EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) and CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) also provide additional academic, financial, and mentoring support that help students persist and succeed.

Through the generosity of donors, SUNY Poly has expanded career-connected learning opportunities with spaces such as the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence and AI Trading Room, while also launching its Office of Workforce Development and deepening partnerships with regional employers to create clear pathways from education to meaningful employment. Together, these efforts reinforce SUNY Poly’s commitment to access, upward mobility, and workforce alignment.

“Earning the Carnegie Opportunity designation reflects SUNY Poly’s commitment to creating pathways for student success through access, support, and career-focused education,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “From initiatives such as ACE, STAR, EOP, and CSTEP to our strong industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities, we are building an environment where students are empowered to thrive academically, graduate prepared for meaningful careers, and achieve long-term economic mobility.”

SUNY Poly is one of eight SUNY campuses to receive the designation, joining Alfred State College, Columbia Greene Community College, SUNY Cortland, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Oneonta, and Stony Brook University.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is an engine of upward mobility for New York State. Congratulations to SUNY Poly on earning this Opportunity designation from Carnegie, which showcases SUNY Poly’s dedication to advancing student success, delivering affordable excellence, and preparing our students to thrive after earning their college degree.”

Since 1973, the Carnegie Classification has served as a leading framework for categorizing and recognizing institutions across U.S. higher education. In 2025, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education introduced the Student Access and Earnings Classification, which includes the “Opportunity” designation, to place greater emphasis on student success and institutional impact, highlighting institutions that advance social and economic mobility.