Russell Sage preps for the biggest class in six years

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Russell Sage College is preparing to welcome its largest undergraduate class in six years and the largest graduate class in a decade. The incoming class has 438 students, and the college expects more students to enroll throughout the summer.

The group of first-year students has been the largest since 2018 and has represented a 37% increase in undergraduate students since last fall. With the closure of the College of Saint Rose, 9% of the undergraduate class are students who transferred from the College of Saint Rose.

Russell Sage College's graduate program has also seen an increase in students, with over 600 students already making deposits. The incoming graduate class is a 94% increase compared to the fall of 2023.

College officials said the introduction of new programs is timed well with the increase in enrollment. President Christopher Ames said the college is no longer one of the Capital Region's best-kept secrets.

"While colleges across the country were announcing closures due to financial difficulties, Russell Sage turned around its financial picture from one of the lowest college credit ratings in the country in 2018 to an upgrade to a positive outlook by Moody's in January 2024," Ames said. "We strategically invested in our strengths in the health professions, education, and criminal justice, adding and expanding programs to address workforce needs."