University at Albany--SUNY

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Quick Stats
1400 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12222

[map]
Phone: (518) 442-3300
2011-2012 Tuition
$7,172
in-state
$15,282
out-of-state
Students
12,959
enrolled
51%
male /
49%
female
Admissions
Mar. 1
application deadline
47.1%
accepted

More Information

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#138 National Universities

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Summary

University at Albany--SUNY is a public institution that was founded in 1844. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,959, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 586 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University at Albany--SUNY's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 138. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,172 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $15,282 (2011-12).

The University at Albany, which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is an institution that offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and about 120 master’s programs, including those in the schools of education and business. Many of UAlbany’s graduate programs are highly ranked, including criminal justice, social work, and specialties offered in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. Ever since the school’s early history, students and faculty have embraced Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, as their symbol. Minerva appears on the school seal, and a seven-foot, plaster statue of her has stood on campus for more than 100 years.

UAlbany students get involved on campus by exploring more than 200 clubs, including several fraternities, sororities, and recreational sports teams. Serious student athletes can choose from more than 10 varsity teams, named the Great Danes, which compete in the NCAA Division I within various conferences. Notable Albany alumni include Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major political office in America and the subject of the movie Milk, starring Sean Penn.
 

School mission (as provided by the school):

Strategically located in the state capital of New York, the University at Albany is an internationally recognized public research institution that brings "The World Within Reach" to nearly 18,000 students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The varied perspectives and life experiences of a student body and faculty representing more than 100 nations provide a diversity that enriches learning at UAlbany.

Students choose from 125 undergraduate majors and minors and 120-plus graduate programs. Many of these programs are nationally ranked, among them criminal justice, information technology, public administration, social welfare and sociology. The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at UAlbany ranks number one in the world.

In every area of study, students are instructed by faculty who are world-class scholars and teachers. Many are actively engaged in life-enhancing research that contributes profoundly to the public good. As mentors, they provide numerous research opportunities, inspiring students to advance their skills and aspirations. UAlbany's Honors College offers opportunities for students to achieve at the highest levels.

More than 500 study abroad programs, available through the University and SUNY networks, expand the worldview of students and prepare them for the global economy. The location of UAlbany in the Capital Region of New York provides extensive opportunities for internships and public service through which students gain valuable experience and contribute to the greater community.

Both the UAlbany campus and the region are bustling with extracurricular activities. Students participate in more than 200 student clubs, honor societies, and other campus related groups, and choose from a busy calendar of campus events, including spirited Division I competition in 19 sports and a rich array of cultural activities. UAlbany athletic teams have won 45 conference championships and produced 17 NCAA tournament teams in 12 years of Division I history.
Since its founding in 1844, UAlbany has graduated generations of leaders in all fields. UAlbany graduates join a network of more than 152,000 alumni making a profound difference around the globe.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1844
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting suburban
2010 Endowment $29,523,196

Applying

When applying to University at Albany--SUNY, it's important to note the application deadline is March 1, and the early action deadline is November 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 1. The application fee at University at Albany--SUNY is $50. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 47.1 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 47%
Application deadline March 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by March 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at University at Albany--SUNY is 19:1, and the school has 19.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University at Albany--SUNY include: Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Psychology; and History. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84.8 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 19:1
4-year graduation rate 55% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Social Sciences 24%
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 15%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 12%
Psychology 12%
History 6%

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Student Life

University at Albany--SUNY has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,959, with a gender distribution of 50.9 percent male students and 49.1 percent female students. 57.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 43.0 percent of students live off campus. University at Albany--SUNY is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at University at Albany--SUNY.

Total enrollment 17,615
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

University at Albany--SUNY offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University at Albany--SUNY also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University at Albany--SUNY.

Students who have cars on campus N/A
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

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Paying for School

At University at Albany--SUNY, 58.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $6,456.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $7,172 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $15,282 (2011-12)
Room and board $10,958 (2011-12) - High
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

My favorite thing about Albany are the people. As a transfer student I was nervous on how I would fit in, and if I would be swallowed by the university. People are actually pretty friendly. It is a decent sized school and yet it has a small college feel to it. While on campus it is more then likely you will run into a friend or two somewhere completely random. That's part of the fun of Albany, since it is a very centralized campus, you're more then likely going to run into a friend at some point. Which is great, since being at a big school can feel a little lonely sometimes. UAlbany has this weird sentiment when I tell people I go here. My friends who go to other colleges are quick to let me know they're not impressed with our party school reputation, while other people are more then excited to hear about it. Albany as a city is like no other place, in that it has three colleges in its vicinity, more on the outskirts, and is also New York state's capital. So while you may be riding the bus to class with a couple of drunk freshmen, you may be getting off at a stop with some big wig capital representatives. I think that might be my favorite part about the city of Albany. It is very easy to get trapped in the 'college bubble', but since UA spills out into downtown Albany, you are constantly around the residents and business people of Albany. Albany as a city has strange divisions. Hudson street is almost devoted entirely to UA students living off campus, and parts of Washington, Western and Madison have been sectioned off to our partying needs. But the same time places like Lark St. embody not only students but artists and residents who take advantage of this very friendly artsy atmosphere. Probably the reason that so much of Albany has been taken over by UA students is because of the amazing bus transportation provided by the city. Living in Albany is unique in that students become accustomed to using the bus early on and it just becomes second nature. The bus is free, since there is a downtown campus and some housing located down the street from the uptown campus.This works out perfectly since it can help motivate you to get off campus when you start getting sick of seeing nothing but concrete. It also doesn't hurt that the bars are basically located just ten minutes off of campus and right outside the bus stops. On any given weekend you will see the surrounding streets just filled with students running around.

becky Senior

-Best Thing about UA? Large enough to try out a million different things, but small enough so you dont get lost in the crowd -One Thing I'd Change? Update fire alarm system -Where do I spend most of my time on Campus? My room, the Q

L Sophomore

The best thing about UAlbany for me is its closeness to the state's capitol. This provides for a ton of opportunities for government, law and business majors- though few students realize this and benefit from it. The school is huge, but that is not necessarily bad. Once you find what you want to study and what clubs to join, the school shrinks. And there are always new people to meet in classes and in bars. People usually are surprised when I say I go to UAlbany, assuming that someone as put together and bright as myself should have gone someplace better. Albany is a SUNY and is therefore a great value. For most albany students, cost is the bottom line. There is little school pride, most people have no idea what is going on on-campus outside of their social circle. The student body is incredibly apathetic. These are facts the school administration has done little to eradicate. I would go as far as to say the school's administration embraces the apathy on campus because it means the students are also not reacting to them.

Anonymous Senior

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* Overview details based on 2010 data

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