The State University, City University and New York's community colleges are perhaps more competitive today than at any time in their recent history. The recent explosion of excellence in public schools has helped New York's public higher education institutions raise admissions standards and attract more top-caliber students.

At SUNY, increasingly strong performances by students and faculty have been measured in higher SAT scores, greater retention of first-year students and rapidly growing research dollars.

SUNY today has its highest enrollment ever, with more than 410,000 students attending across the system's 64 campuses. The University's ability to appeal to a diverse student body is reflected in its minority population, which stands at 18.3 percent of enrollment - a gain of 8,296 minority students in three years.

The mean SAT score increased at every SUNY campus between 1999 and 2002. Over that time, SAT scores at Stony Brook climbed 58 points and soared by 90 points at Old Westbury. At the four University Centers - Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton and Stony Brook - the mean high school grade point average of entering classes increased from a B+ to an A- over the same period. SAT scores rose 11 points to 1139. [16]

SUNY also brought in nearly $800 million in research dollars in its last fiscal year, up 37 percent from $555 million just three years ago. SUNY is closing in on the chancellor's goal of $1 billion in research dollars - a mark that will put New York in the upper echelon of university systems.

A recent report released by the SUNY Task Force on Efficiency and Effectiveness - commissioned by the SUNY Board of Trustees - found that New Yorkers are getting good value from their state university. And, that value is registering with parents and other New Yorkers who express tremendous satisfaction with SUNY.

A scientific poll of New York registered voters commissioned by United University Professions in January found overwhelming confidence in SUNY (77 percent) and the education it provides (67 percent.) The poll also indicates that employers think SUNY graduates are well prepared for the job market (85 percent).

The SUNY Administration recently reported that SUNY's six-year graduation rate is 58 percent -15 points higher than the national public average of 43 percent and one point higher than the national graduation rate of 57 percent for private colleges. [17]

And, those graduates are doing well once they leave SUNY. Among the SUNY alumni contributing to New York's economy are those graduating from the University's teacher education programs. Nearly 96 percent of SUNY students passed the most recent Teacher Certification test and many of these new teachers go on to work in public school systems in New York.

"I think students coming out of the SUNY teacher preparation programs now are certainly very well prepared, and many of them are particularly able to teach the diverse learners in this state. I see that as an asset," said Nancy Schniedewind, a professor of education at SUNY New Paltz.

Meanwhile, enrollment at CUNY climbed to 213,952 last Fall, the largest student population in 28 years. Undergraduate enrollment - 185,605 - is at its highest level since 1994. In addition, CUNY is increasing the percentage of students meeting rigorous admissions requirements for its senior colleges.

SAT scores for incoming freshman at CUNY's top-tier senior colleges - Baruch, Brooklyn, City, Hunter and Queens Colleges - have risen 168 points between 1995 and 2003, to a high point of 1,111 this year. And, CUNY students are doing well once they enter college. The average first-term GPA for first-time freshman reached a seven-year high. [18]

Community Colleges

The rise in excellence is apparent at New York's community colleges, too.

Enrollment in community colleges is also rising as more New Yorkers see the value in a community college education. Many excellent students are choosing to spend their first two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year school to earn their degree.

Not only do community colleges offer a broad range of academic courses and opportunities to all, they are growing their reputation for offering career training that enables graduates to immediately enter the work force with good-paying jobs.

Two fields stand out. Many community colleges now offer cutting-edge training for jobs in health care and law enforcement - two careers that will continue to grow as New York looks to strengthen its Homeland Security protections.

"If you want to train the work force, you look to community colleges," noted Barbara Viniar, executive director of the Institute for Community College Development at Cornell University. "When you talk about excellence, part of our mission is to prepare people for good-paying jobs. New York's community colleges most certainly do that."

Indeed they do. From pre-k to higher education, New York's public education system is doing an exemplary job of preparing more students for a brighter future.

NEXT: 9. "Quality Schools Fuel the Economy"