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SUNY Potsdam Ranked in Top 10 Best Rural Colleges in America by Washington Monthly Magazine

Washington Monthly Names SUNY Potsdam One of America's Top 10 Rural-Serving Colleges

Potsdam, NY (09/01/2026) — In a first-of-its-kind rating, SUNY Potsdam has been ranked No. 9 nationwide in Washington Monthly magazine's inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America list, earning recognition as one of the country's leading institutions serving rural students and communities.

In the magazine's newly released 2026 College Guide, SUNY Potsdam was the only New York State institution to place among the Top 20, and was the highest-ranked campus in the State University of New York system. Overall, Potsdam placed ninth out of 1,200 rural institutions in the new ranking.

"This recognition underscores the vital role SUNY Potsdam plays in expanding opportunity -- serving not only our students, but also elevating the North Country community we call home," said President Dr. Suzanne Smith. "For more than two centuries, we have helped students access an outstanding and affordable education, launch meaningful careers, and contribute to the economic vitality of our state and nation. Being ranked among the country's best rural-serving colleges affirms both our longstanding mission and the success of our students and alumni."

The Best Colleges for Rural America ranking identified four-year non-profit rural universities that admit and graduate large numbers of rural and in-state students. Washington Monthly analyzed the return on investment for these campuses by looking at how many students utilize Pell Grants, annual net price for median- and lower-income families, median student loan debt, and alumni earnings.

SUNY Potsdam ranked highly thanks in large part to the social mobility return it provides for graduates, helping students from all socioeconomic backgrounds earn their degrees and go on to fulfilling and successful careers, with as little debt as possible. The magazine's new ranking also awarded extra points to campuses that prepare students for careers in in-demand fields to fill the needs of rural areas -- especially if those graduates stay to use those newfound skills in-state after graduation.

"From the top of these rankings on down, there's a final aspect shared among the Best Colleges for Rural America: These schools offer a solution to rural communities' chicken-and-egg, jobs-and-talent problem. They give talented youth a way to stay local and make a decent living, and they show incoming industry that local talent is on offer," Features Editor Gillen Tener Martin wrote in the article introducing the new rating.

Earlier this year, SUNY Potsdam was selected to join the Rural Student Success Network, a new national cohort of colleges and universities working to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for rural students. Led by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in collaboration with Ithaka S+R, the program is designed to strengthen student success and economic mobility at rural-serving institutions.

"As a proud SUNY Potsdam alumna and former rural student myself, I know firsthand how transformative this institution can be. Our students gain the knowledge, experiences and professional preparation needed to thrive, wherever they choose to live and work," said Provost Dr. Susan L. Perkins '93. "This new honor affirms our commitment to student success, social mobility and workforce preparation."

SUNY Potsdam also made the magazine's 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars list, in addition to the rural ranking. For its annual guide, Washington Monthly ranks colleges based on their contribution to the public good in four broad categories: access, affordability, outcomes, and promoting public service.

The rankings are available at www.washingtonmonthly.com/2026-college-guide.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

Jocelyn Shatraw walks toward the stage at Commencement at SUNY Potsdam.

Jocelyn Shatraw ’26, who was born and raised in Potsdam, N.Y., graduated with her degree in psychology earlier this year. SUNY Potsdam has been ranked in the top 10 Best Colleges for Rural America list by Washington Monthly magazine, the first rating of its kind.

Students talk while sitting in Minerva Plaza at SUNY Potsdam.

SUNY Potsdam has been ranked in the top 10 Best Colleges for Rural America list by Washington Monthly magazine, the first rating of its kind.

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