Troy University (TU, ) History and Academics

History

Troy University is located in Troy, Alabama, with numerous branch campuses throughout Alabama and the United States, as well as several international campuses. The university was originally founded in 1887 as Troy State Normal School. In 1929, the name was changed to Troy State Teachers College; at about the same time, the school offered its first bachelor’s degree. With the growth of the post-war period, Alabama’s legislature approved a master’s degree program in 1957, along with another name change. Ten years later, Troy State College became Troy State University. “State” was finally dropped from the university’s name in 2004.

The four Alabama branches of Troy — Montgomery, Phenix City, Dothan, and the main campus — had operated independently until 2005, when the schools came together under a single accreditation. Administrators believed that the merger created a healthier and more sustainable institution, while also eliminating some barriers for students.

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Information Summary

Ranks 16th in Alabama and 1008th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	80.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$20,147
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1145
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	73% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	16,981

Academics

Troy is unique in relation to many other state universities in the number and location of its branch campuses, many of which are located on military bases and operated in conjunction with the Department of Defense. International locations include Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The university also offers distance learning courses on both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Troy has five academic colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, and the Sorrell College of Business. Troy offers a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Music Education, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Education and in Business Administration. Students have dozens of academic majors, minors, and areas of concentration to choose from at the undergraduate level.

A number of graduate programs are available in each of Troy’s five academic colleges. Some standout programs include criminal justice, education, international relations, nursing, business administration, and computer science. Students can earn graduate certificates, Master of Science degrees, Master of Art degrees, or a Doctor of Philosophy.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

The Institute for Leadership Development in an interdisciplinary program that encourages responsible and ethical leadership in all walks of life, thereby contributing positively to the betterment of society. The institute provides advanced course work and mentorship to a variety of departments on campus and also performs various public services and seminars in the interest of cultivating leaders outside the TSU campus.

A beautiful 75 acres of lush forest, the university’s arboretum is only a short walk from campus. The arboretum is available for ecological study, relaxation, and reflection. Students benefit from a hands-on experience with environmental education programs and the 3,100 square foot Forest Resources Educational Complex.

Admissions

The Troy Admissions Committee looks at several factors when weighing an admissions decision. These include intellectual capacity, maturity, experience, and motivation. New high-school graduates and first-time college students under age 25 must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on all high school coursework, plus acceptable standardized test scores: a minimum 20 on the ACT or 950 on the SAT. Applicants falling short of one of these requirements may still be conditionally admitted, providing they show strength in other areas.

Non-high school graduates can submit their GED score instead of high school transcripts; check with the university for current minimum GED scores and any other requirements.

Graduate program applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meet minimum undergraduate GPA requirements. Each program will typically have additional requirements, so applicants should contact their specific department to see what’s necessary to complete the application.

Financial Aid

Once a student is admitted to Troy, he or she can then being the financial aid process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Results from the FAFSA help determine a student’s eligibility for need-based aid.

Federal grant money, which doesn’t require repayment, comes in the form of Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. The state of Alabama also offers several grant programs.

Troy maintains merit-based scholarship programs for undergraduates in a range of disciplines. Some of these include the Gates Millennium Scholars Award and the Chancellor’s Award. Scholarships usually entail ongoing academic performance requirements. More abstract qualifications, such as demonstrated leadership in high school, may be required for eligibility for certain scholarship awards. Fields of music, nursing, military, and athletics all offer their own scholarship opportunities. Any students interested in exploring such opportunities should contact the appropriate department.

Loans and work-study programs are also available. Federal Stafford Loans must be repaid with interest, beginning at a specific point after leaving school. The terms and conditions of private loans very from lender to lender.

The Office of Financial Aid is available to field both general and specific inquiries regarding financial aid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6223rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Alabama.

Students

The Troy campus includes twelve different halls, including Shackleford Hall, one of the campus’s original buildings, dating back to its founding. Students who are under the age of 19 must live on campus, unless their family lives locally or other special circumstances apply. Special dorms have waiting lists once they fill up for the semester. TSU is home to over 10,000 undergraduates. Students also may participate in many of the student organizations or Greek groups on campus.

With its emphasis on the military and adult education, as well as an international footprint, a large portion of Troy’s students fall in the non-traditional category. A range of support services are available to help these adult learners acquaint themselves with college life or find the right work-life-family balance.

Besides academic and administration buildings, dormitories, and athletic facilities, the campus includes married student housing, a chapel, a lake, a golf course, and a preschool.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Troy has an extensive athletic program, with men’s teams in baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, cross country, track & field, and rodeo, and women’s teams in basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, cross country, softball, track & field, and rodeo. The university competes at the NCAA Division I level. The team nickname is the Trojans. There are other programs associated with athletics, including band and cheerleading, and Trojan football games are broadcast on 15 radio stations throughout Alabama.

The men’s basketball team participated in the highest scoring college basketball game in history, defeating DeVry University of Atlanta in 1992 by a score of 258 to 141.

The university has captured a total of eleven different NCAA Championships in four different sports. Athletic facilities include Tine Davis Field House, Pace-Riddle baseball stadium, Trojan Oaks golf course, as well as softball and soccer facilities.

Local Community

Home to fewer than 20,000 residents, the town of Troy is located in southeastern Alabama, approximately 53 miles from Montgomery. The town is known for its Southern charm, with tree-lined streets and friendly faces. Local civic organizations include the American Association of University Women, the Cattleman’s Association, Jaycee’s and Kiwanis.

Troy University