UAlbany Ranked a Top U.S. School, Noted for Improving Social Mobility of Students

Four students share a notebook and laptop, sitting on a lawn near flowering trees

By Amy Geduldig 

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 24, 2024) — The University at Albany continues to uphold its position as one of New York State’s premier universities, offering students substantial opportunities in STEM research, affordable degree programs that support future career success and diverse cultural experiences.  

The University is one of the top public colleges in the nation, according to new rankings released by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly and Princeton Review's “The Best 390 Colleges - 2025 Edition.” Highlights from the rankings include:  

The U.S. News and World Report 2025 “Best College Rankings,” published today, listed UAlbany at No. 61 nationally among public institutions (an increase of 9 spots from last year) and No. 121 nationally overall (an increase of 12 spots from last year). 

  • UAlbany was listed at No. 59 among public institutions and No. 3 among New York’s public institutions in the new Wall Street Journal “Best Colleges in the U.S.” rankings, and No. 159 nationally, among both public and private institutions.  
  • Washington Monthly ranked the University at No. 51 of National Universities in its 2024 “College Guide and Rankings, first among all SUNY colleges and an increase of 10 spots from last year.  
  • The University was profiled in the 33rd edition of Princeton Review’s “The Best 390 Colleges,” which showcases recommended colleges for undergraduate academics and features about 15% of America’s four-year colleges. 

“The University at Albany is an institution that continues to rise – in enrollment numbers, in rankings, and in impact. I am very proud of everyone in the UAlbany community who has contributed to these successes. For 180 years, we have been an engine of opportunity in our community, and these rankings indicate that we are continuing to live out our mission by providing students with access to opportunities and resources and enabling them to find an upward trajectory in our society,” said Havidán Rodríguez, president of the University at Albany.    

UAlbany is consistently recognized as one of the best colleges for social mobility and academic equity, offering low-income students — including first-generation students and those receiving financial aid — a diverse and affordable education. U.S. News and World Report and the Wall Street Journal ranked the University as No. 26 and No. 31 respectively in the category of social mobility for schools across the country.  

In addition to listing UAlbany No. 51 in its College Guide, Washington Monthly — a nonprofit magazine that ranks universities based on their contribution to public good — ranked the institution this year as a top university in the Northeast for delivering the “Best Bang for the Buck,” which ranks schools according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. 

Among the Class of 2024 undergraduates who received degrees in May, 36 percent were first-generation college students. As of fall 2024, about 60 percent of UAlbany students receiving financial aid were eligible for Pell grants.    

The University’s standing is also well represented in this year’s enrollment.  With a total enrollment of approximately 17,500 for fall 2024, UAlbany saw a 4% increase over last year. The University welcomed over 2,800 freshman and more than 1,200 transfer students this fall and experienced 4% increases in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The colleges and schools with the greatest increase percentages were the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (24.7%), the School of Criminal Justice (12%), the School of Education (7.4%) and the College of Nanotechonlogy, Science, and Engineering (7%).  

The rankings this year further reflect the University’s successes over the past year, which include:  

UAlbany's ranking highlights are available here.