History

Alfred University was founded in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. Today, the University has built on the values of its founders, developing as an institution of international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins.

Inclusive From The Start

Alfred University is the second-oldest coeducational college in the United States, enrolling 22 women and 14 men in our inaugural class. Ours was the first university to make the full curriculum open to women and one of the earliest to enroll African American and Native American students. We were the first to invite a female commencement speaker. Noted orator and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, visited Alfred several times in the 1850s and remarked on the welcoming nature of the campus community.

Alfred University has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology. Gene Bernstein ’69, Chair Emeritus of the University’s Board of Trustees, fondly calls Alfred “the biggest small university” because of the broad range of academic programs from which our students can mix and match, thereby creating impactful educational pathways.

For more information on Alfred's history, traditions, and people visit the University Archives.

Rich Diversity and Strong Community

A striking feature of Alfred University is that its diversity exists in a relatively small institution. Alfred serves approximately 1,700 undergraduate and nearly 400 graduate students. This small size has allowed the university to maintain a strong sense of community. Alfred prides itself on offering a personalized education that features close relationships between, and a strong sense of belonging among students, faculty and staff, thereby helping the University advance its mission of helping students realize their purpose.

Undergraduate Research

At Alfred University, a research project is one of the most rewarding aspects of a student’s educational journey. Such projects provide hands-on learning opportunities, feature mentorship by faculty and staff, and allow our students to work with state-of-the-art technology and materials.