College Profile
Named one of “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine, University at Albany, SUNY (UAlbany) is an excellent university – at an extraordinary value. Located in New York’s capital city, the University at Albany is the premier public research University in the Capital Region and offers approximately 18,000 students the expansive opportunities of a large university in an environment designed to foster individual success. Students choose from over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare them for success in a wide range of fields.
UAlbany faculty are world-class scholars and instructors ─ many actively engaged in life-enhancing research that contributes profoundly to the public good. As mentors, they provide numerous student-research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, inspiring students to advance skills and aspirations.
The excellence of a UAlbany education is recognized by many independent sources. UAlbany is ranked among the top universities in Forbes’ “America’s Best Public Colleges,” and U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks many of our graduate programs among the top 50 in the United States, including clinical psychology, criminal justice, library and information studies, public affairs, public health, sociology and social work.
UAlbany prepares students to pursue careers in a wide range of professions and enter top graduate, law or medical schools. Students have access to internships and career preparation in Fortune 500 businesses in every field, plus early assurance options with Albany Medical Center and a unique partnership with Albany Law School. Recent additions to our academic offerings include some of the most in-demand programs today, such as computer engineering, homeland security, emergency preparedness, digital forensics, financial market regulation and public health.
The Capital Region of New York State has the highest employment rate in Upstate New York, and is home to bustling industries like government, technology, business, healthcare and education. The University’s location provides students with limitless opportunities for internships and public service through which they gain experience, test their skills, and prepare to launch a successful career.
Programs We Offer
Graduate and Undergraduate
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (undergraduate only)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Public Health
Demographics
| 17,743 | Total Enrollment |
| 13,508 | Undergraduate Enrollment |
| 4,235 | Graduate Enrollment |
| Undergraduate 790, Graduate 802, Total 1,800 (excludes IELP student numbers) | International Student Enrollment |
| 52% | Male |
| 48% | Female |
| 18:1 | Faculty-Student Ratio |
| 1,100 (total faculty) | Faculty: Full-Time |
| 100+ | Countries Represented |
| Top 5 | China, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan |
| Other | Public Research I University in New York’s State Capital |
English as a Second Language Program and Services
Does your institution have an Intensive English Program?
Yes, University at Albany IELP (Intensive English Language Program) is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills. The IELP, established in 1978, has trained 10,000+ ESL students. The IELP is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs and University and College Intensive English Programs.
The IELP has many great options. After successfully completing the IELP, many students enter one of UAlbany’s world-famous degree programs. Classes are offered in 8-week sessions. There are five 8-week sessions offered throughout the year. Students take a placement test and enroll in the number of sessions necessary to achieve their desired English language level. There are seven levels of English offered, from basic to university-ready advanced.
- Fast-Track Pathway with Conditional Admission
- Guided Language and Academic Pathway
- UA-USA Experience with Concurrent Enrollment
- Academic and Language Skills Boot Camp short-seminar pathway
The Intensive English Language Program Advantage:
- Conditional Admission & TOEFL Waiver
- Small Class Size
- All Teachers have Master’s Degrees or Higher
- English for Specific Purposes
- 8- and 4-week Sessions
- Social and Cultural Activities & Language Clubs
- New York State & New York City
Click here for more information or email IELP@albany.edu.
International Student Housing Options
Is on-campus housing available for international students?
The University at Albany offers a host of living options for incoming students. Freshmen students live in traditional residence halls on either Indian or State Quad, which feature double occupancy and suite-style floor plans. All freshman students are required to live on campus for their first two years of study. For third and fourth-year students, the housing options include apartment-style living in Freedom Apartments, Empire Commons or Liberty Terrace.
Other options include Dutch and Colonial Quad, with more suite-style living arrangements, the downtown area Alumni Quad, a popular destination for international students and students with internships.
Students can also sign up for living-learning communities, which offers students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with residential life by pairing on-campus housing with students who share similar academic goals and interests.
All housing options feature a host of standard amenities, including cable television, telephone and internet access, multiple dining options, fitness and wellness centers, as well as mail and laundry services.
Learn more about living on-campus at UAlbany:
Students living off-campus while attending the University at Albany are provided a unique opportunity to experience everything the Capital Region has to offer, while bus and mass transit services get you where you need to go.
For students living off-campus, UAlbany has created a free housing registry service to provide students up-front with rental information and contract details. You can also connect with other students who are seeking roommates or sign up to be notified when rentals matching what you are looking for become available.
UAlbany students are also able to set up ‘podium points’ on their SUNYCard, which can be used at more than 40 off-campus businesses, including restaurants, pharmacies and gas stations.
Many students who live downtown take part in internships in the City of Albany, the seat of New York State Government.
UAlbany students are also known to engage with the community-at-large and build stronger ties by taking part in neighborhood clean-up or volunteering efforts through the Office of Personal Safety & Off Campus Affairs.
For more information:
Email reslife@albany.edu
or click here
Collaborative Programs
UAlbany has approximately 150 agreements, MOUs and partnerships with institutions all around the world.
Some places where these schools are located are:
Argentina, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Grenada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, US and Vietnam.
Financial Aid
Is financial aid available for international students?
Yes. We offer up to $12,000 scholarships for undergraduates based on application for admission (no separate application is required). This scholarship is renewable until the student graduates. Our office looks at GPA, test scores, extra-curricular activities. Residence Life also offers a one-time $3,000 scholarship for transfer students living on campus. Students must have a 3.0 minimum gpa for this scholarship. Students can certainly apply for more scholarships once they are enrolled at UAlbany.
For graduate students, tuition assistantships are offered. More information about this can be found here.
Student Activities and Campus Life
UAlbany has programs, services, and experiences designed to promote student success in and out of the classroom. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and make connections. UAlbany offers more than 200 clubs and student organizations. Whether you’re interested in sports, intramurals, politics, arts, religion or community service, you’re sure to find a club that suits. And if you don’t, that’s okay—you can always start your own through the Student Association, the undergraduate student government, or the Graduate Student Organization.
