With a population of just under 14,000 people, Oneonta is a safe, friendly community known for its small-town ambiance and vibrant arts and entertainment scene.
SUNY Oneonta has been included in the BestColleges.com list of America’s “Best Small Town Colleges” for two years running and ranked No. 14 on the Matador Network’s 2015 list of the “20 Coolest Towns in the U.S.”
The city of Oneonta’s “just-right” size makes it a great place for a college campus. Within easy walking distance of campus is Oneonta’s downtown business district, which features coffee shops, pizzerias, ethnic cuisine, consignment stores and a variety of locally owned specialty shops offering everything from shoes to kitchen gadgets. The Main Street Plaza is home to the Oneonta Farmers’ Market, which offers seasonal products year-round.
About 15 minutes from campus, the Southside Mall offers movies on nine screens, and a bowling center and roller skating rink are just down the road. Oneonta Public Transit provides regular bus service from campus to Main Street and the mall.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Oneonta and its environs. Public parks and trails offer opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, ice skating and cross country skiing in a beautiful natural environment. One of the community’s most popular events is the annual Pit Run, which draws hundreds of runners, walkers and spectators to the city’s Neahwa Park.