Education & Libraries

The concentration of institutions is one of Albany's greatest attributes. The City of Albany has set goals and strategies to foster existing connections and create new relationships and partnerships with its institutions that focus on cooperative planning for growth and development, as expressed in the the City's Comprehensive Plan, Albany 2030.

Albany's vision of being a model for educational systems, as expressed in Albany 2030... "Albany nurtures its most valuable resources, its children, by promoting excellence in education at all levels. The City's institutions of higher education are valued resources and partners in initiatives to expand economic opportunities, enhance work force skills and promote lifelong learning."

Public Education

The Albany City School District consists of thirteen elementary schools, four middle schools and Albany High School. The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. 

Private Education

Albany County offers 24 options for private preschool, 10 of which are located in the City of Albany. The following list offers links to more information about each program:

Albany County offers 25 options for private elementary school, 12 of which are located in the City of Albany. The following list offers links to more information about each program:

Albany County offers 13 options for private high school, 8 of which are located in the City of Albany. The following list offers links to more information about each program:

Colleges & Universities

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is located on New Scotland Ave., near Albany Medical College, Albany Law School and the Sage College of Albany, is a private, independent college with a satellite campus in Colchester, Vermont. In addition to its Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, ACPHS offers Bachelor's degrees in Biomedical Technology, Chemistry, Health and Human Sciences, Microbiology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. ACPHS has Master’s degrees in Biotechnology, Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology, Health Outcomes Research, Biotechnology-Cytotechnology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

Albany Law School was founded in 1851 and is the oldest independent law school in the United States. Albany Law School offers 14 concentrations for J.D. candidates, as well as an L.L.M program, and joint J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A., J.D./M.R.P., J.D./M.S., and J.D./M.S.W. programs. Albany Law School also offers a Master of Science with a Tech Transfer Concentration. Albany Law School is home to several centers of legal study: The Government Law Center, The Center for Excellence in Law Teaching, The Institute of Legal Studies, The Institute for Financial Market Regulation, and The Center for Judicial Process. In addition, under the auspices of its Law Clinic and Justice Center, Albany Law School operates several public interest clinics providing students with hands-on legal experience. 

Albany Medical College (AMC) is part of the Albany Medical Center Hospital. AMC is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the education of health care personnel, research in the basic and clinical medical sciences and service to the community, offering course study for undergraduate medical education, graduate research, GME residencies, fellowships and certificates (MS, MD, PhD). 

Excelsior College is a private institution of higher education near the Campus Neighborhood. Excelsior College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the School of Business and Technology, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Liberal Arts, and the School of Nursing. It offers flexible, non-resident programs best for working adults. 

Maria College is a private college in the New Scotland Neighborhood, specializing in health care programs. It offers a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing and Associate degrees in Accounting, Early Childhood Education, General Studies, Liberal Arts (concentrations in English, Psychology and Religious Studies/Philosophy), Management, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Paralegal. Courses are offered in the evening, on weekends and online. 

Sage College of Albany is located in University Heights, near Albany Medical College, Albany Law School and the Albany College of Pharmacy. It offers a variety of academic programs designed specifically for working adults and Bachelor's degrees in Visual and Performing Arts, Business, Law & Society, Nursing, Education, Accounting. Sage also administers Sage Evening College and Sage Graduate School. Visit www.sage.edu.

State University of New York at Albany (UAlbany) is a public research institution offering more than 114 academic programs for Master’s, Bachelor’s or Doctoral degrees. UAlbany has many nationally ranked programs such as criminal justice, information science, public administration, social welfare and sociology. Visit www.albany.edu.

In November 2019, St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing and Memorial College of Nursing merged into the new St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing. St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing offers an Associates in Science (A.S.) degree in Nursing to educate and prepare students to become skilled and competent professional nurses. Students will participate in clinical experiences in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, physician offices and daycare centers, providing them with specialized knowledge, practical skills and caring values. 

The College of St. Rose is a private, co-educational institution in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany. The College of St. Rose offers Bachelor's, Post-Bachelor's certificates, Master's and Post-Master's certificates in a variety of academic concentrations, which have been organized into: The School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Mathematics and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Education. 

Trades & Training

Capital Region BOCES and other BOCES programs have a reputation for only offering academic programs, but Capital Region BOCES delivers more than 300 programs and services designed to support the entire educational process. They partner with and support 24 component capital region school districts including Albany and provide service to more than 150 school districts outside the Capital Region area.

The CDL School is nationally recognized, full service commercial driving school. They offer training and testing in any class of commercial motor vehicles.

Computer Visions is a New York State, woman-owned and operated provider of technical training as well as computer and network consulting solutions, specializing in the education of business professionals. 

Mildred Elley offers advanced job training for business, technology and health professions in their School of Business and Technology, School of Digital Media Arts, or School of Health and Wellness Professions. 

Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy was created to provide surrounding communities with quality alternatives to medical treatment through massage therapy, acupuncture, and natural medicine. 

New Horizons offers live or online training courses for business, application or technology skills. 

Orlo School of Hari Design and Cosmetology is devoted to educating new cosmetology industry professionals. Their students move on to a variety of careers, from working as hairdressers, makeup artists and estheticians to owning independent beauty salons and representing major industry product companies. 

The Albany Public Library (APL) System has seven neighborhood branches across the city of Albany and has a 24/7 online eLibrary.  APL strives to educate, entertain, and empower our community. In addition to borrowing books, DVDs, music and magazines, APL offers classes and workshops, computers and Wi-Fi, tutoring and tax assistance, arts activities and technology programs, study spaces and meeting rooms, movie showings and musical performances, book clubs and author talks, and so much more. 

View a listing of historical and educational institutions.