Alfred University
Alfred, NY
Alfred, NY
See firsthand where discoveries are made
Alfred University's engineers imagine the future and make it happen. You will be a part of a university that is alive with ideas that become the inventions, solutions and breakthroughs to solve tomorrow's problems.
The basics and beyond
From circuits and engines to nanotechnology and photonics, engineering courses at Alfred University start with the fundamentals and go all the way to the cutting edge. The Inamori School of Engineering offers degrees in seven major areas: Biomaterials Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Glass Engineering Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Renewable Energy Engineering.
World-class research
Research at the Inamori School of Engineering draws the attention of engineering minds from around the world. Here, students and faculty work side-by-side to discover new phenomena, design new solutions and products and develop advanced manufacturing methods necessary to make a global impact.
Our on-campus research centers partner with state technology agencies and the National Science Foundation to answer the biggest STEM questions facing society. As a student here, you can play a role. Research Centers
Hands-on experience, day one
At Alfred, you don't have to wait until you're a grad student: Hands-on, practical training in the labs starts the day your classes start.
|
Ranked among the "Colleges with the Best Academics in America" and "Best Colleges for Art in America" | Niche, 2026 |
|
|
Ranked among the top colleges and universities for earning national recognition | Washington Monthly, 2022 |
|
|
AU scored on par with or better than many top schools for "value added" among 4,000 schools nationwide | Brookings |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Recognized among The Best 391 Colleges, for the 34th consecutive year | The Princeton Review, 2026 |
In his “Department of Data” column for The Washington Post, Andrew Van Dam lists the “collegiest” towns in America, along with other data. The “collegiest” town in the country is Alfred, NY, “where students make up an astonishing 85% of the town’s population of 4,500 (depending, obviously, on huge seasonal fluctuations).”
Alfred University sits on a beautifully unique campus that houses everything from an equestrian center to an actual castle. Nearly 400 acres of recreational land between the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the Finger Lakes. Neighboring cities with exceptional career and internship opportunities. And the quaint, historic Village of Alfred. As a Saxon, every day here can be as comforting or as outside-of-ordinary as you wish.
The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering First-Year Experience program is designed to help first year students transition smoothly into college from high school.
The School of Engineering at Alfred University prides itself on providing the best engineering education in all of its major degree programs right from the start. Unlike most all other universities, Alfred University engineering programs immerse students into real engineering courses the first year, while encouraging personal accountability of students and emphasizing independence and time management skills as the key indicators to a successful college career in engineering.
Discover your kind of engineering
Engineering is a diverse field with many disciplines, and choosing the right field for you is stressful. Our first-year curriculum lets you explore what a career in engineering looks like and gives you a taste of [six/seven—confirm with AU] different engineering fields before you have to decide.
Engineering 101
A project-based course focused on creating and building a prototype to solve a grand challenge in engineering, introduced through the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges framework. Each year features a new theme, encouraging students to think creatively as engineers. The course introduces technical drawing, 3D models, engineering tools, and—most importantly—how to work as a team.
Engineering 117
A lab-based course focused on helping you discover which field of engineering you want to pursue, while learning fundamental skills. Every two weeks, you'll get hands-on experience in a different engineering discipline—from glass and ceramics labs working with furnaces, to building trebuchets, to core scientific concepts common across all engineering fields.
Engineering 160
A once-a-week seminar to help students get familiar with campus resources and understand what's expected of them as engineering majors. Guest lectures from successful graduates offer advice and insight into what a career in engineering can look like.
All first-year students also have early exposure to Alfred University libraries, facilities, and support services. Additionally, each student is assigned to a small group of academic advisors with expertise in the student's declared field of study.
