SUNY’s economic contribution to the state

The State University of New York (SUNY) system is responsible for nearly 180,000 jobs across the state, according to a new report from the Fiscal Policy Institute.

The study, titled “SUNY: An Economic Engine of Upstate New York,” says the network employs 63,400 New Yorkers – 1.7 percent of all jobs in the counties that are home to a SUNY institution.

While the highest number of jobs are found in counties hosting university centers, the economic impact of SUNY colleges is greatest in smaller, more rural counties. The system supports almost a fourth of the jobs in Cortland County and 10-15 percent of jobs in Otsego, Livingston and Oswego counties.

Direct and indirect SUNY jobs by county

While the report explores the economic importance of the colleges, it doesn’t address overall trends of falling enrollments and cuts in faculty and staff, which inevitably lead to reduce impact. SUNY’s report to trustees in November shows that enrollment has risen slightly in the last two years, after years of decline.