Albany State University

Albany State University is a public historically Black university located in Albany, Georgia. Founded in 1903, it is part of the University System of Georgia and serves undergraduate and graduate students across a range of disciplines, including education, business, health sciences, and the natural sciences. The university operates multiple campuses in the Albany area and is known for its longstanding role in teacher education and community development in southwest Georgia. Albany State University attracts students seeking a supportive academic environment, strong ties to regional industries and schools, and the cultural legacy associated with historically Black colleges and universities.

Albany State University was founded in 1903 in Albany, Georgia, by Joseph Winthrop Holley as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute. The school was established to provide basic education and teacher training for African Americans in southwest Georgia at a time when public educational opportunities were limited. In 1917, the state began providing financial support, and the institution became the Georgia Normal and Agricultural College, expanding its curriculum to include agriculture and industrial training. Albany State University joined the University System of Georgia in 1932 and was granted four-year status in 1943 as Albany State College. The institution introduced graduate programs in 1981 and achieved university status in 1996, becoming Albany State University. In 2017, Albany State consolidated with Darton State College, expanding its academic offerings and campus footprint while continuing its historic mission.