


Courtesy of Alabama State University
Alabama State University is a public historically Black university in Montgomery, Alabama. Its origins trace to Lincoln Normal School, established in Marion in 1867 to educate Black students during Reconstruction.
The institution moved to Montgomery in 1887 and developed from a teacher-training school into a university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across multiple fields. It adopted the Alabama State University name in 1969. That history remains relevant to its identity: teacher education is part of its academic offerings, while its programs now extend to business, health, the sciences and the arts.
Alabama State University offers bachelor's and graduate study through colleges spanning business, education, health sciences, liberal arts and social sciences, science and technology, and visual and performing arts. Its academic offerings include business administration, accounting, biology, computer science, criminal justice, social work, teacher education, music and theater.
Prospective students should evaluate the specific program they intend to enter, not just the university's overall list of majors. Some fields have sequenced courses, clinical placements, auditions or separate admission requirements that can affect when a student starts major-level work. Transfer applicants, in particular, should compare their completed courses with the requirements for their intended degree.
Alabama State University's main campus is in Montgomery, Alabama's capital. Its city setting gives students access to state government, schools, health care organizations and other potential sites for internships or community-based learning; access to any particular placement depends on the program and employer.
Students weighing a commute should consider their class schedule and transportation plans. Montgomery Regional Airport, also known as Dannelly Field, serves the area. ASU's first-year parking restriction is especially worth checking before making plans to bring a car to campus.
Alabama State University's stated educational purpose centers on teaching, research and service, with an emphasis on access and opportunity consistent with its history as a historically Black university. Its academic mission serves undergraduate and graduate students across professional, scientific and liberal arts fields.
A mission statement describes institutional priorities, not a measured outcome for every student. Applicants can assess how those priorities translate into practice by examining their intended program's curriculum, advising arrangements, research or fieldwork opportunities, and student support services.
Name of the institution
Alabama State UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1867Alabama State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.