BMCC’s Fall 2024 Incoming Class Largest Among Entire CUNY System

As of September 17, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) has the largest incoming class—freshman, re-admit and transfer students—among the entire CUNY system for Fall 2024.

Here are the numbers: 6,912 incoming students, showing growth from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024 of 9.1% according to BMCC Office of Enrollment Management.

In addition to having the largest incoming class in CUNY, BMCC’s overall enrollment stood at 19,891students—up 11.3% from last fall—the highest percentage point gain and the third highest student count in the CUNY system, after Hunter College and Baruch College, respectively.

Applications to BMCC increased by 9.6% from 38,078 in Fall 2023, to 41,724 in Fall 2024. The number of students accepting admission to BMCC in Fall 2024 grew to 11,551, up 18.8% from the 9,727 who accepted admission into the College in Fall 2023.

“I am filled with immense pride that the students have chosen BMCC as their academic home,” said BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe.  “This distinction is a testament not only to the strength and reputation of our college but the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff.  Your tireless efforts to reach out, connect, inspire and showcase the incredible opportunities available at BMCC have truly paid off and I am sincerely grateful to all of you.”

Story Behind the Numbers

That BMCC is seeing enrollment trend upward is hardly a surprise. Located in dynamic lower Manhattan, the College offers more than 60 academic programs taught by renowned faculty who advise and mentor students on a regular basis. Faculty at BMCC conduct grant-funded research and publish findings in academic journals and other esteemed publications. BMCC Professors and instructors are often sought ought by media as expert voices in their fields of study. BMCC was also recently named the number one community college in New York State by the Niche 2025 Best Community College in America rankings.

Under President Munroe’s leadership, BMCC has also formed new partnerships and articulation agreements with colleges, organizations and institutions not only within the CUNY system, but across the United States and globally as well.

For example, in 2022, BMCC and Morehouse College in Atlanta—the nation’s only Historically Black College for men—formed a partnership where Morehouse facilitates the transfer of BMCC students who meet academic requirements and have completed an Associate Degree (ADT).

Two years later, in 2024, BMCC signed a partnership agreement with the University of Albany (SUNY) that will enable BMCC graduates to seamlessly transfer and enter a bachelor’s degree program.

Also in 2024, BMCC was one of just four U.S. institutions of higher learning—and the only community college— selected by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to receive $1 million in matching grants over four years to establish new Study Abroad programs that will advance institutional goals while improving student outcomes.

BMCC recently also joined the Transfer Scholars Network, an initiative led by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen), with support from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (Cooke Foundation) that’s dedicated to expanding community college transfer to some of the nation’s most highly selective colleges and universities.

From BMCC’s emergency food pantry to specialized counseling, the College’s faculty and staff provide a plethora of specialized services, cutting edge facilities and programs that support students both academically and socially throughout their time at BMCC, preparing and helping them take the next steps in their academic and career journey.

Former BMCC students have shared countless stories of academic success at some of the nation’s top universities and career achievements in fields ranging from business and medicine to theater, accomplishments that confirm the College’s motto, “start here, go anywhere.”

Enhanced Enrollment Outreach Strategies Make an Impact

Another ingredient in BMCC’s secret sauce for enrollment growth has been the College’s innovative outreach, recruitment and marketing efforts.

“We offer a more unique, more intimate open house,” said Ryan Neary, Associate Director of Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach. “In other words, we’ve gotten away from the traditional weekend, five hours long open house event, and instead, we offer our open houses in the evening, during the week, and we focus on personalized experiences where students get program-specific information, financial aid guidance and personalized tours.”

Neary also cites partnerships with outside organizations for campus hosted events, more strategic external recruitment efforts and the utilization of technology.

“We also created a database of our feeder schools and community-based organizations with contact information and other details,” said Neary. “We also have been more focused on digital marketing such as our monthly school counselor newsletter that goes out to more than 1,800 school counselors across the New York City Department of Education school system.”

Innovative Outreach Effective

BMCC has also worked to increase its outreach to non-traditional students by promoting its flexible learning options.  BMCC offers a large number of evening and weekend as well as online or hybrid courses that help thousands of students balance the demands of college with work and family obligations.

BMCC has also promoted its workforce development programs, career-oriented degree programs and industry partnerships that lead to a practical job. The College also gives accepted students the opportunity to finalize enrollment—advisement and registration—at an earlier point than in previous years.

The College’s marketing efforts have also been more innovative.

“At BMCC, we refined our advertising strategy to focus on reaching potential students where they already spend their time, both online and in their communities,” explained Rosslynn Pieters, BMCC Marketing Director.  “By leveraging behavioral and interest-based ads on social media, streaming services, and community platforms, we effectively reached individuals exploring new educational opportunities or career transitions, which contributed to our enrollment growth.”