SUNY Old Westbury welcomed its largest class of new first-year students in more than 10 years for the 2023-2024 academic year and a more than 17 percent increase in first-year enrollment over last fall. The 724 students overall are part of total student body of 4,448, the largest enrollment on campus since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
In addition to this undergraduate success, SUNY Old Westbury enrolled this fall 410 graduate students, the largest number of graduate students in its history.
"Our success is the result of a combination of the right time, the right message and the right team," SUNY Old Westbury president Timothy Sams said. "Our campus is committed to preparing students to lead no matter what major they pursue. This preparation is enhanced by both SUNY's affordable tuition and our campus' historic mission to educate on issues related to multiculturalism, fairness and environmental justice."
The 17 percent growth in first-year enrollment at SUNY Old Westbury is among the top five campuses across the SUNY system. First-year enrollment is generally seen as a leading indicator of enrollment success and long-term growth. SUNY Old Westbury’s new undergraduate students were selected from a pool of more than 6,700 applicants, an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
The 2023-2024 student body also continues to reflect among the most diverse groups of students in the nation:
- 30.4% Hispanic/Latino
- 27.7% White
- 22.7 % Black or African American
- 11.4% Asian or Asian American
- 2.9% Multiracial
- 4.9% Other (including international students, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and unknown)
SUNY Old Westbury is recognized by the federal government as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The University also has for more than 20 years been recognized for its commitment to diversity and social mobility by such organizations as U.S. News & World Report, Insight Into Diversity magazine, Third Way, Study.com and College Factual.