CANTON – For the fourth consecutive year, SUNY Canton is again expecting a record number of students.

Total applicants and deposits have both increased since 2010 when the college broke previous records in nearly every admissions category.

To date, SUNY Canton has received 5,369 applications for fall, an increase of more than 200 from the same time last year. The previous record was set in 1977 when 5,331 students applied. Applications have nearly doubled in the past five years when SUNY Canton had just under 2,800 people apply in 2006.

SUNY Canton Vice President for Advancement David M. Gerlach said there are several reasons why the numbers keep going up.

“We have added six in-demand bachelor's degree programs in the last 12 months and we also have a new athletic facility and a new residence hall. Those reasons coupled with our affordability make us more attractive to incoming students than we have ever been.”

One highlight is the number of transfer student applicants, which has jumped 25 percent since last year and more than 100 percent in the last five years.

“Both our flexibility and our growth in academic programs are attractive for students of all ages,” said Assistant Vice President for Advancement Randy B. Sieminski.

Bachelor's degrees added in the last year include sports management, civil and environmental technology, electrical technology, mechanical technology, health and fitness promotion, and veterinary technology.