Cortland makes ‘Best Colleges for Women’ list

04/02/2026

SUNY Cortland was selected for Newsweek 's first-ever America's Best Colleges for Women list, ranking among the best in standards including leadership, pay and policy, safety and opportunity.

The online and print news company described the ranking as a way to highlight institutions that meaningfully strengthen women's success academically, professionally and structurally.

Out of more than 1,200 schools listed, Cortland placed in the 201 to 300 range, tied for fourth among all SUNY institutions and tied for third among SUNY comprehensives.

"SUNY Cortland is proud to be recognized as a university that empowers and supports women," said Ann McClellan, the university's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "You see it in many ways: our recent celebration of Women's History Month events; our interdisciplinary minor in women's, gender and sexuality studies; and the continued success of our alums in far-reaching fields, from education to athletics to business to STEM.

"We are committed to demonstrating that women shine as leaders in our society - especially at SUNY Cortland."

Partnering with Newsweek for the new raking was Gender Fair, which describes itself as a data-driven, third-party certification of a company's commitment to women's equality.

"Earning a place on the America's Best Colleges for Women list reflects an environment that meaningfully supports women's success," said Newswee k's editor-in-chief Jennifer Cunningham when the list was published March 30.

Data used included the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the Campus Safety and Security Database.

Categories analyzed were:

• Leadership: The percentage of leadership roles at the school filled by women, including staff and faculty.
  

• Pay and policies: The average ratio of women's salaries to men's, along with average total salaries and the availability of childcare.
  

• Safety: An analysis of the number of crimes against women and hate crimes reported per student.
  

• Opportunity: Based on the number of students receiving Pell Grants and the proportion of faculty who are non-white professors, associate professors or assistant professors.

To qualify for the list, colleges and universities had to employ 20 or more women in academic roles, have at least 1,000 students and award bachelor's degrees.