Education

Educational institutions have a strong presence in the Capital Region. The State University of New York is based in Albany with SUNY Albany as its flagship. With the addition of the $400 million International Sematech North research facility, SUNY Albany thrusts the local economy further in the direction of nanosciences and semiconductor manufacturing technology, similar to the effect of International Sematech's other facility at the University of Texas at Austin. University Heights is a collaborative and synergistic effort by the Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School, Albany Medical Center and The Sage Colleges that strives to integrate these four institutions on a local and international level. Other higher educational institutions in Albany County include Siena College and The College of Saint Rose which each serve the community in specific and most beneficial ways. On the secondary level, The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls ("The Academies") have provided for nearly two centuries an outstanding education to young people throughout the Capital Region, as independent college preparatory schools.

In Rensselaer County, three higher educational institutions contribute significantly to the Capital Region, namely RPI, The Sage Colleges and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC). Founded in 1824, RPI is the oldest engineering school in the U.S. and one of top universities in the country. Renown for its practical engineers, RPI has long-established relationships with such institutions as the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) and many multi-national corporations. These relationships involve on-going research & development and providing a steady supply of qualified engineers. The Sage Colleges, originally founded as Russell Sage College in 1916, is one of the first colleges in the country for women. Today, the school is co-educational and has greatly expanded, yet maintains core strength in the area of health care. HVCC is a local community college that attracts students from distant points due to the quality of education it offers. HVCC students often continue their studies at RPI and other higher educational institutions. On the secondary level, Emma Willard School in Troy is one of the top college preparatory schools for girls in the U.S. Founded in the 1814, this school is the first school in the country to offer a full academic curriculum for girls and attracts students worldwide.

Lastly, it's important to include two other educational institutions nearby. Founded in 1795, Union College in Schenectady County is one of the earliest chartered schools in the U.S. and one of the first non-denominational colleges in the country. As a liberal arts school, Union offers a broad curriculum, yet maintains a strong engineering program and special relationship with General Electric Company (GE) headquartered in Schenectady. Union College also has a Division I ECAC hockey program with home games at Achilles Arena. Skidmore College in Saratoga County is another exclusive, independent school with a broad liberal arts curriculum. Founded in 1911 as a women's college, Skidmore became co-educational several decades ago and has a Division III ECAC East men's hockey program.