Albany State, a public, historically black, liberal arts university, was founded in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute. In 1917, it became the state-supported, two-year Georgia Normal and Agricultural College; in 1943 it became a four-year institution and was renamed Albany State College; and in 1996 it gained university status. Programs are offered through the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Nursing. The 206-acre campus is located in southwest Georgia, 180 miles from Atlanta.