Alfred University
Alfred, NY
Alfred, NY
You can do it here.
Lighting the way for students since 1836
We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor, and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836.
The Alfred Advantage
At Alfred University, you won't spend all your time behind a desk. Our curriculum is designed around experiential learning, which means you'll have as much hands-on learning as possible.
Depending on your major, you'll find opportunities to be in the field, the studio, the lab, the classroom, or engaging in simulated scenarios that give you a competitive edge when you enter the workforce or head to grad school. You'll learn the concepts and then actively apply them through projects, field trips, site visits, internships, and interactions with professionals in the field.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts at Alfred University offers collaborative and engaging opportunities in Dance, Music, Performance Design and Technology, and Theatre. It encourages makers and performers of all skill levels to explore their creativity and discover new ideas through hands-on learning. Students work together to create live art, while our dedicated faculty—practitioners, researchers, and scholars—support meaningful exploration and lifelong learning. Each program is designed to be inclusive, welcoming students of all backgrounds and helping each student grow and master their craft.
Starting with the 2025–2026 academic year, the division offers new interdisciplinary BFA degrees in Music-Performance, Music-Sound Studies, Theatre, Performance Design and Technology, and Dance, alongside continuing BA degrees in Music and Theatre.
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Ranked among the "Colleges with the Best Academics in America" and "Best Colleges for Art in America" | Niche, 2026 |
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Ranked among the top colleges and universities for earning national recognition | Washington Monthly, 2022 |
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AU scored on par with or better than many top schools for "value added" among 4,000 schools nationwide | Brookings |
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Ranked among the "Top Regional Universities in the North" (#61), "Top Performers on Social Mobility" (#36), and "Best Value Schools" (#12) | U.S. News & World Report, 2026 |
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Recognized among The Best 391 Colleges, for the 34th consecutive year | The Princeton Review, 2026 |
99% receiving financial aid
Nearly our entire student body receives some form of financial aid—mostly grants and scholarships.
98% success rate
Within one year of graduation, 98% of our students land jobs or are enrolled in graduate school.
13:1 student-faculty ratio
Small class sizes mean individual attention—and more opportunities for growth.
700 theater seats
Our Miller Performing Arts Center and Black Box Theater are cultural focal points for the region and have seating for 700+.
50+ programs to mix & match
Work with areas such as visual art, environmental studies, sound design, music, performance art and theater. You can also take advantage of our 47 majors and 65 minors you can mix & match.
