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Alabama State University

Montgomery, AL

publicHBCUgraduate

Quick Facts

1867
Founded
Public historically black university
Type
3,322
Total Students
3,521
Undergrad
560
Graduate
$125M
Endowment
(2024)
$11K
Tuition (In-State)
$20K
Tuition (Out-State)
$14K
Avg Net Price
96%
Acceptance Rate
30%
Graduation Rate
6-year
60%
Retention Rate
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Alabama State University

Pioneering education since 1867, ASU empowers students as America's first state-supported HBCU.

Alabama State University stands as a beacon of educational excellence and historical significance, recognized as America's first state-supported educational institution for Black students. Founded in 1867 as the Lincoln Normal School of Marion, ASU has a profound legacy of pioneering access to higher education. Its journey from a dedicated teachers' college to a comprehensive regional university underscores a relentless commitment to serving its community and shaping future leaders. Today, ASU is a vibrant public historically black university deeply rooted in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama.

Academically, ASU has continuously evolved to meet the demands of a changing world. A pivotal moment in its modern development came with the 1995 Knight vs. Alabama remedial decree, which transformed ASU into a comprehensive regional institution. This led to the introduction of new undergraduate and graduate programs, significant diversity scholarship funding, and crucial investments in state-of-the-art facilities like a health sciences building. This expansion ensures students have access to a diverse array of academic pursuits and robust resources to support their learning journey.

Beyond the classroom, Alabama State University fosters a dynamic student experience and makes a tangible impact on its broader community. With a student body of over 4,000, students engage with a rich campus life, supported by initiatives like the institution's own radio stations, WVAS-FM and WAPR-FM, which connect the campus to a wide regional and global audience. ASU's commitment extends to future generations, as evidenced by a substantial $24.7 million federal grant received in 2021 to help K-12 students prepare for higher education. This dedication to upliftment, combined with recent record-breaking philanthropic support, cements ASU's position as a powerful force for progress and opportunity.

Key Highlights

  • America's first state-supported educational institution for Black students, founded in 1867.
  • A public Historically Black University (HBCU) with a student body of 4,081 and an endowment of $0.1 billion.
  • Currently led by President Quinton T. Ross Jr.
  • Transformed into a comprehensive regional institution in 1995, adding new academic programs and facilities.
  • Received the largest single federal grant in its history: $24.7 million in 2021 for K-12 education preparation.
  • Received the largest single gift in its history: $38 million from MacKenzie Scott in 2025.
  • Manages WVAS-FM, an 80,000-watt radio station reaching over 651,000 people across 18 counties.

Timeline

1867
Founded as the Lincoln Normal School of Marion.
1874
Became America's first state-supported educational institution for blacks.
1887
Moved to Montgomery and renamed the Normal School for Colored Students.
1928
Became a full four-year institution.
1969
Renamed Alabama State University.
1984
WVAS-FM was launched.
1995
The Knight vs. Alabama remedial decree transformed ASU into a comprehensive regional institution.
2021
Received a $24.7 million federal grant, the largest single grant in its history.
2025
Received a $38 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, the largest single gift in its history.
🏛️
159 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Carl Pettis
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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