University at Albany

Albany, NY · founded 1844 · 17,000 students · public research university · America East Conference

Known for: A SUNY flagship known for its highly ranked School of Criminal Justice, public policy programs, and nanotechnology research, stemming from its location in the state capital.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #136
QS World: #591
Times Higher Education: #601
Forbes: #289

Top programmes

Criminal Justice
Public Administration and Policy
Emergency Preparedness
Nanotechnology
Social Welfare
Business

Notable alumni

Harvey Milk — Pioneering gay rights activist and politician
Christine Quinn — Former Speaker of the New York City Council
Gregory Maguire — Author of 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West'
David Paterson — 55th Governor of New York
John E. Sununu — Former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
G. Gordon Liddy — Watergate scandal figure and radio host
Mary-Louise Parker — Actress known for 'Weeds' and 'Angels in America'

Traditions

Fountain Day (spring event opening the academic podium fountain)
Great Dane Growl (homecoming pep rally)
Midknight Madness (basketball season kickoff)
Diwali Night

If University at Albany were…

As a food: Chicken riggies — An Upstate New York pasta dish that's hearty and satisfying but completely unknown outside the region—just like UAlbany's solid programs that matter locally but don't register on the national prestige radar. It's comfort
As an athlete: Damian Lillard — A clutch performer who's loyal to a smaller-market team and doesn't get the recognition he deserves from the national media. UAlbany students are similarly underrated—politically savvy and effective, but playing in Alban
As a person alive today: Kirsten Gillibrand — The New York senator embodies UAlbany's political vibe—ambitious, policy-focused, and operating in the state capital's orbit. She's effective and well-connected in government circles even if she's not a household name ev
As a historical figure: Martin Van Buren — The eighth President was a New York political operative who mastered the machinery of state politics before going national. UAlbany trains the modern equivalents—people who understand how government actually works, even
As a movie or TV show: Parks and Recreation — A show about earnest, politically engaged people working in government at the local level, finding purpose in public service despite bureaucratic absurdity. UAlbany students have that same idealistic-but-pragmatic energy
As a US president: James K. Polk — An effective, agenda-driven President who got things done without charisma or fanfare, then left. UAlbany produces competent political operators who know how to work the system and achieve goals without needing to be the
As a city: Sacramento — A state capital that's politically important but culturally overshadowed by bigger cities in its state. Both are where policy gets made and government careers launch, even if the glamour is elsewhere.
As an element: Aluminum — Lightweight, versatile, and everywhere in modern infrastructure but rarely celebrated. UAlbany grads are similarly ubiquitous in New York government and nonprofits—essential to how things run, even if nobody's writing so
As a car: 2018 Subaru Outback — UAlbany's politically engaged, commuter-heavy vibe in the state capital mirrors the Outback's appeal to NPR-listening pragmatists—all-wheel drive for upstate winters, room for internships and activism, sensible lease ter

Campus life

Life at UAlbany is centered on its large, suburban-style campus, with a strong emphasis on Division I athletics and over 200 student clubs. The university's proximity to Albany provides internship opportunities in state government and various industries. Greek life and campus events like Fountain Day are popular.