About SUNY Empire State College

Founded in 1971 to break the mold of higher education.
Still leading the way.

SUNY Empire was established in 1971 by the SUNY Board of Trustees and then-chancellor and future United States Commissioner of Education Ernest L. Boyer as a pioneering statewide SUNY institution focused on educating students at any stage of life or learning, with faculty mentors working closely with students to design individualized degree programs.

Today, the college continues its commitment to flexible, accessible education with more than 110 online degrees and certificates and locations in every region of the state and seven international sites so SUNY Empire students can pursue their education around the demands of a busy life -- whether online, face-to-face, or a blend of both.

SUNY Empire State College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Throughout its history, SUNY Empire has been a leader in valuing learning gained from life and work experience and has designed a clear process for assessing and awarding credit for college-level learning gained through experience.

The college also offers affordable SUNY tuition; degrees that can be tailored to meet individual education, career and personal goals; transfer-friendly policies; and extensive student support, both virtually and in person.

Partnerships

Partnerships the college has with organized labor, all branches of the military, and the private and nonprofit sectors enable these organizations to educate their members and employees to meet mandates and licensure requirements, adapt to the requirements of new technology, and provide paths for promotion.

Individuals benefit from education earned through these partnerships and New York state benefits from a stronger workforce better able to compete in a global marketplace, which advances the state economy.