Launch of Evelyn Linares Legacy Scholarship by CUNY News - 1
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The City University of New York reported a fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth, with preliminary fall 2026 figures showing a 3.2% increase across the university system. Total enrollment reached approximately 253,000 students, up nearly 12% since 2022, representing about 27,000 additional students. Community colleges and graduate programs each recorded 5% growth, while Bronx Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College reported 9% increases. Graduate enrollment climbed to nearly 31,000 students, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the expansion of CUNY Reconnect, a tuition-free community college initiative for eligible adults ages 25 to 55, which currently serves 9,786 students and has expanded to additional campuses.
Governor Hochul Announces Fourth Consecutive Increase in Student Enrollment at CUNY'
Boost Driven by Five Percent Increase at CUNY Community College; Graduate Enrollment Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
Nearly 10,000 Adult Learners Currently Attend CUNY Through the Governor’s Free Community College Initiative for High-Demand Fields
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that total enrollment at the City University of New York increased for a fourth consecutive year, including growth among the University's community, senior and graduate colleges. The results follow the expansion of the Governor’s signature free community college initiative for New Yorkers between ages 25 and 55.
“The rise in enrollment at CUNY schools over the past four years reflects our unwavering commitment to an education that helps New Yorkers get ahead,” Governor Hochul said. “With the expansion of AI in the workforce, it is more important now than ever to give as many people access to affordable education as possible to equip them with the skills they need to succeed. This increase in enrollment is only the beginning and I look forward to continuing to make New York a leader in higher education.”
Preliminary enrollment figures for Fall 2026 show that overall enrollment grew by 3.2 percent, driven by a five percent increase at both community colleges and graduate programs. This growth is especially strong at CUNY’s community colleges, which posted a five percent increase, with Bronx Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College posting a nine percent uptick. Graduate enrollment reached nearly 31,000 students, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Since 2022, enrollment has grown nearly 12 percent at CUNY, reaching a total of about 253,000 students, representing about 27,000 additional students over the last four years.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “Rising enrollment at CUNY makes clear that access to a quality, affordable education remains more important than ever. It also reflects invaluable support from Governor Hochul, whose commitment to adult learners is enabling us to meet students where they are, regardless of age or circumstance. Together, we are opening doors for students across New York to take advantage of all CUNY has to offer.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, "Since its inception, CUNY reconnect has expanded opportunities for people to enroll or return to college. I have always felt that there were many adult students who wanted to return, or even change careers. When Governor Hochul announced plans for CUNY Reconnect, I was delighted. That opportunity continues to expand today as thousands of adult learners are back in CUNY classrooms through the program. Changing careers or enrolling for the first time takes courage, and cost should never stand in the way."
Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, “Despite federal government efforts to make pursuing higher education harder, the City University of New York has seen growth in student enrollment, partially thanks to the CUNY Reconnect initiative, which enables people aged 25 to 55 to obtain a free degree in a high-demand, high-paying field. The CUNY Reconnect program will expand in 2027 to allow people who have already obtained a degree but wish to switch careers to join the program. To the new students making the university network their home, Welcome to CUNY!”
Strong enrollment gains among community colleges, which were hit hardest by the pandemic, have been bolstered by Governor Hochul’s free community college initiative, CUNY Reconnect, which currently supports 9,786 adult learners at CUNY. Since its launch in Fall 2025, enrollment in this program has grown nearly 50 percent and recently expanded to three additional campuses — College of Staten Island, New York City College of Technology and Medgar Evers College.
Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced a new expansion of her free community college program designed to address the impacts of artificial intelligence in the workforce. Under the expansion, adults aged 25 to 55 can enroll in a high-demand associate degree program at no cost, even if they’ve already completed a postsecondary credential. Please visit www.cuny.edu/reconnect for more information.
This month, CUNY is participating in Governor Hochul’s New York State College Application Month campaign, waiving its freshman application fee between Sept. 15 and Nov. 16 for New York City Public School Students, a month longer than previous years. The fee waiver is being promoted to prospective students with “Welcome to CUNY” letters sent to all graduating high school seniors at New York City Public Schools, and through the University’s “A Degree for Every Dream,” advertising campaign, which is featured across digital media platforms and New York City’s subway, bus, railroad and ferry networks.
Source: New York Governor's Office
