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.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
