The State University of New York at New Paltz, commonly referred to as SUNY New Paltz or New Paltz, is a public university located in New Paltz, New York. It traces back its roots to a secondary institution called the New Paltz Classical School, which was founded in 1928 and restructured into an academy in 1833.
SUNY New Paltz Acceptance Rate
Admissions are fairly competitive at SUNY New Paltz with an acceptance rate of 41 percent. For students planning to apply, the deadline for application is April 1 and the early action deadline is set on November 15. Applicants are required to settle an application fee worth $50. Scores for either the SAT or ACT exams are due on January 31.
Admitted Students Profile
The school has a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 and 30.8 percent of its classes are attended by less than 20 students. The total undergraduate enrollment at New Paltz is 6,692, with 61% female students and 39% male. Out of all the students, 47% reside in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing while 53% are living off-campus.
Tuition Figures
According to the latest data from SUNY New Paltz, the cost of tuition is $8,254 for New York residents and $18,034 for out of state students. For the graduate school, tuition and fees amount to $12,474 for New York residents and $24,034 for others.
Most SUNY New Paltz students are able to pay their tuition through aids or grants. 62% of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average scholarship or grant award that is need-based amounts to $5,212.
Location
The campus at SUNY New Paltz spans approximately 216 acres. It has 14 residence halls that are mostly centered in two quads. The main campus is composed of two dozen academic buildings that include the Haggerty Administration Building, a lecture hall, Old Main, Sojourner Truth Library, one main dining hall, the Student Union Building, Science Hall. There are also an extensive gymnasium and sports areas for students to use.
SUNY New Paltz previously owned the Ashokan campus in Olivebridge, New York, which added another 400 acres of land under the school’s operation. The property was sold in 2008 Campus Auxiliary Services to the Open Space Conservancy. The campus was renamed to Ashokan Center.
At the heart of campus is the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, which is one of the largest art museums in the entire SUNY system. There are also three on-campus theaters: Max and Nadia Shepard Recital Hall, McKenna Theater, and Parker Theater.
Academics
There are 111 degree programs to choose from at the State University of New York at New Paltz. These degrees are categorized as Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Post-Graduate Certificate programs.
Some of the most popular programs taken by students in SUNY New Paltz are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Visual and Performing Arts; and Education. The average retention rate of freshmen–which is a common indicator of student satisfaction–is currently at 87%.
Student Life
The Student Association is in charge of student governance and funding most student activities through a mandatory fee. New Paltz is home to several fraternities, sororities, and clubs. The organizations recognized by the Student Association are categorized according to six different boards: Academic, Advocacy, Athletic, Fine and Performing Arts, Media, and Social and Cultural. The school also has an on-campus government referred to as the Residence Hall Student Association (RHSA).
Like many New York state campuses, the college also houses an auxiliary services corporation called Campus Auxiliary Services, Inc. (CAS). This group facilitates the bookstore and dining halls, aside from being the main source of discretionary funds for spending by the RHSA and college president.
New Paltz also has its own foundation and an active alumni association. Among the cultural and social clubs active in the school is the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA), which organizes various trips, events, and programs that celebrate and spread the rich Asian history and culture.
The yearly traditions celebrated by APISA include culinary nights that allow students to learn how to cook Asian dishes. The club also hosts a week-long film festival that highlights Asian success in the film industry as producers, directors, and performers. To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the group holds a gala in May as well.
Athletics
SUNY New Paltz teams are a proud member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III and the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). For the male division, the Hawks participate in games that include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming & diving, and volleyball. Meanwhile, sports played by female members of the team are basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball.
In 2016, the New Paltz men’s volleyball team won the NCAA Division III Tournament—a first for the school. Their victory was also recognized as the first NCAA title for any New Paltz team. Three years later, they defeated UC Santa Cruz and went on to get their second championship in the sport and second for the school overall.
Notable Alums
Since being established in the 1820s, SUNY New Paltz has helped hone hundreds of students and helped them become exemplary personalities in the career they chose. Here are a few of the most well-known Hawks:
- Ann Nocenti – Marvel Comics editor
- William Parment – member of the New York State Assembly
- Andrea Peyser – New York Post columnist
- Rebecca Rotzler – co-chair of the Green Party of the United States
- Roseann Runte – President of Old Dominion University
- Ilyasah Shabazz – daughter of Malcolm X; writer
- Andy Shernoff – songwriter, rock musician
- Frank Skartados – member of the New York State Assembly
- Alex Storozynski – Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- Brianna Titone – geologist and Colorado state representative
- Aida Turturro – actress
- John Turturro – actor
- Jason West – Mayor of the Village of New Paltz, New York
- Zach Zarba – NBA official
- Maurice Hinchey ’68, M.A. ’70 – member of the United States House of Representatives
- Vicky Jeudy – actor
- Gary King – Professor of Government at Harvard University
- Robert Kyncl – Chief Business Officer at YouTube
- Kenneth LaValle – member of the New York State Senate
- Christopher Manson – children’s book author and illustrator
- Tomas Morales – president of California State University, San Bernardino
- Kevin Zraly – wine educator; founder of the Windows on the World Wine School
