Founded in 1889, the College at Oneonta has grown into a liberal arts college with a pre-professional focus enrolling more than 5,800 students in 69 undergraduate majors, nine graduate programs, and several specialized certificate programs.  The College features outstanding and accessible faculty, students committed to academics and service, a modern field house and athletic facilities, and a modern library with exceptional electronic and print resources.

Visitors to the College at Oneonta enjoy the area's natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and many historic sites. The town of Oneonta is home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.  Cooperstown offers the National Baseball Hall of Fame and many museums.  Within a 30-minute drive are two state parks (Glimmerglass and Gilbert Lake) and several popular ski areas.  Oneonta offers shopping malls, a distinctive downtown business community, a wide range of shops and restaurants, and convenient public transportation.

The College is located on the outskirts of the City of Oneonta, a friendly community with 15,000 residents. In addition to being an educational center, the city offers diverse housing, shopping, cultural, and recreational opportunities.  The College at Oneonta contributes significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of the community.

The college sponsors 21 varsity sports teams (10 for men and 11 for women). Oneonta competes in the NCAA, ECAC, ECWC, NEAC, and State University of New York Athletic Conference. All intercollegiate athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III. Oneonta's teams practice and compete in numerous state-of-the-art athletic facilities. These include the Alumni Field House, which is home to the women's volleyball team and the men and women's basketball teams; the Red Dragon Soccer Field for men & women's soccer; the All-College Field, home to women & men's lacrosse, field hockey, and men & women's track & field; and the Dr. Joseph A. Heissan '63 Tennis Courts, home of the men's and women's tennis teams. The baseball and softball teams both have fields on campus while the cross-country teams compete at nearby Fortin Park.