Golisano is creating a two-year business school for $8,900 a year

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Philanthropist and Paychex founder Tom Golisano is turning a former Paychex property in Brighton into a two-year business school.

The tuition will be $8,900 a year for the school offering course in sales, marketing, accounting, business law, and other topics. Golisano said he will produce funding to the school’s programs will help to keep the tuition low.

The school is expected to open in September of 2023 and classes will be year-round. The classes will run from 8 a.m. to p.m. on weekdays except for Wednesday, when students will interact with business professionals in an auditorium. Golisano said the schedule allows students to maintain a part-time job or internship while attending.

Golisano said that student debt struggles among young people was one of the inspirations for starting the school. He said the institution can offer a more business-focused curriculum because it won’t have required liberal arts classes.

“This program is aimed at high school seniors, young working professionals, and children of family-owned businesses. Also veterans.” Golisano said. “We think people that maybe have gone straight into the service out of high school, coming out of the service, this would be an excellent program for them.”

Golisano is funding the construction of classrooms at the Brighton building, which will be complete by next Febuary or March. The school will hold open houses and advertise to recruit students. Currently, they’re working on recruiting faculty.

Some faculty members at local institutions, including the U of R, Nazareth College, MCC, and Roberts Wesleyan, have helped with the planning for Golisano’s school. The school’s advisory board includes a faculty member from RIT and a member of St. John Fisher University’s leadership team.

Golisano said he hopes the school will serve as a model for other institutions to offer low tuition with a high-focused program.

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