Albany is a college town: 18 of every 100 residents are students
University at Albany (15,251 students on campus) and The College of Saint Rose (2,329) are inside the city, and Siena College (3,611) is 4.3 miles from the center, just over the line in Colonie. Across New York, 7 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Albany. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
17
47,159 students on campus
Nearest college
0.6 mi
The College of Saint Rose
Residents in college
18%
Above NY (7%)
Nearest community college
0.7 mi
St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing · $15,358 tuition
Nearest public university
1.9 mi
University at Albany · $10,866 in-state
Students on campus in Albany
20,904
next to 101,698 residents
What stands out about college in Albany
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 22.8% of Albany residents are below the poverty line, 20.2% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 2 points either way). 45% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.
Cost of living C
The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 18%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.
Health B+
CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Albany’s median age is 32.0 (New York 39.8), so the adult figures describe a young population.
Safety D
Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.
Every college
Colleges within 15 miles of Albany
14 private colleges within 12.4 miles, one public college within 1.9 miles, and six community colleges.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at $48–75k, where Albany’s median household income ($61,986) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Albany: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
University at Albany61% graduate$68k earnings$20k typical debt
Hudson Valley Community College35% graduate$45k earnings$11k typical debt
Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing50% graduate$64k earnings$15k typical debt
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Mildred Elley School-Albany Campus (3); Bryant & Stratton College-Albany (8).
Majors
What students study in Albany
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Albany’s 5 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Psychology, GeneralUniversity at Albany · 321 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity at Albany · 321 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralUniversity at Albany · 207 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
EconomicsUniversity at Albany · 202 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Homeland SecurityUniversity at Albany · 191 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesUniversity at Albany · 155 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
SociologyUniversity at Albany · 149 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Political Science and GovernmentUniversity at Albany · 140 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in Albany
Is Albany a college town?
Yes. 18 of every 100 Albany residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 7 across New York. University at Albany has 15,251 students on campus, next to 101,698 residents.
What colleges are in Albany?
University at Albany, The College of Saint Rose, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany Medical College and 4 more are inside the city. Siena College is 4.3 miles from the center, in Colonie.
Why is Albany’s poverty rate so high?
Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 22.8% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 20.2% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 2 points).
What is the closest community college to Albany, and what does it cost?
St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing in Albany, 0.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $15,358 a year for New York residents.
How hard is it to get into University at Albany?
University at Albany admitted 69% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Albany. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0