In a major move to support students and families across New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a tuition freeze for the State University of New York (SUNY) system for the 2025–26 academic year. The decision, revealed during a press briefing in Albany on Wednesday, means that undergraduate in-state students at SUNY campuses will not see any increase in their base tuition for the upcoming school year.
This comes as part of a broader effort to make higher education more affordable and accessible for New Yorkers. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of supporting students during a time of economic pressure, noting that rising costs have made it harder for families to send their children to college. “We are committed to making sure higher education remains within reach for all New Yorkers,” she stated. “Freezing tuition is one way we can relieve financial stress while maintaining the quality of our public institutions.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. praised the decision, highlighting how it aligns with the university system’s mission to provide world-class education without excessive financial burden. Over the past decade, SUNY has worked to keep tuition increases minimal, and this latest decision reinforces its commitment to affordability.
Student groups and advocacy organizations have widely welcomed the freeze, with many students expressing relief over the news. “College is stressful enough—this gives us one less thing to worry about,” said Jasmine Rodriguez, a junior at SUNY Albany.
The tuition freeze will affect all 64 SUNY campuses across the state, covering more than 350,000 students. While some administrators voiced concerns about how institutions will absorb rising operational costs, state officials assured that additional funding in the state budget would help fill the gap and maintain educational quality.
The policy comes amid national conversations about student debt and access to public education, placing New York at the forefront of efforts to ease the financial strain on college students.