The Capital Region, also known as “Tech Valley”, is a hub for higher education with a strong focus on nanotechnology and semiconductor engineering. It is home to 21 colleges and universities that rank among the top in the nation.
The State University of New York, one of the best public higher education institutions, has some of its most dynamic schools in Tech Valley including The University at Albany and SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.
Private institutions such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a premier engineering school, have consistently provided the area with a highly-skilled workforce.
Community colleges like Hudson Valley Community College, one of the top community colleges in the country, offer cutting-edge programs in Mechatronics, Nanotechnology, Semi-Conductor Manufacturing, and Renewable Energy that complement the four-year schools.
Many of the colleges also provide award-winning early college in the high school programs on their campuses, like Tech Valley High School and Ballston Spa High School’s Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Program.