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Marking a major milestone, the New York State Board of Regents approved the merger of Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to become Russell Sage University.
The approval, granted during the Board of Regents meeting on May 19, is provisional pending U.S. Department of Education approval, which is expected by summer 2027. The merger has also been provisionally approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which serves as the accrediting body for both colleges.
Pending all regulatory approvals, Russell Sage University will welcome its first class as the region’s premier healthcare-forward comprehensive university in fall 2027. Russell Sage won’t start using the university name until then.
“We could not be more grateful to the New York State Education Department staff and the Board of Regents for realizing this merger is a roadmap for other colleges and universities as we seek to make higher education more efficient, accessible, and affordable,” said Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel. “NYSED understands how agility and creativity on the part of colleges and universities can benefit students and fuel the state economy. NYSED has been a tremendous partner and resource throughout the merger process, and we’re eagerly anticipating the next step of U.S. Department of Education approval so we can welcome students to Russell Sage University in fall 2027.”
“Our strategic plan at ACPHS calls for finding a merger partner and obtaining university status,” said ACPHS President Toyin Tofade. “Completing this vital piece of the merger process brings us one step closer to accomplishing both, and we appreciate the New York State Education Department for understanding our vision and understanding how this merger can serve as a national model. Maintaining the legacy of ACPHS as Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Russell Sage University marks an exciting new era for not only our college but for pharmaceutical and health sciences education.”
Russell Sage University will enroll an anticipated 4,000 students on campuses in Albany and Troy, New York, as well as online, making it the third-largest private institution for higher education in the Capital Region. The merger unites two colleges nationally recognized for social mobility and return on investment, creating a dynamic engine for workforce development that will transform students, their families, and communities.
With combined assets of approximately $246 million, the merged institution will have the region’s broadest catalog of programs in healthcare, including pharmacy, nursing, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, mental health counseling, and health and biomedical sciences. Russell Sage also boasts standout programs in education, business, criminal justice and forensic psychology, the sciences, and arts and humanities, providing endless options and a robust college experience for students.