Study in Troy, The United States

About Troy

Troy is a small city in the state of Alabama, in the southeastern United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates its population at 17,734 (1 July 2024). It is a college town: the historic main campus of Troy University is here, and the university shapes much of local life.

Students who choose Troy are looking for a campus university in a small Southern town rather than a big city. College Navigator, the U.S. Department of Education's college search tool, classifies the campus setting as a remote town, and the university describes a picturesque town square with shops and restaurants.

Studying in Troy

Our directory lists one school in Troy, a university.

Troy University was established on 26 February 1887 by an act of the Alabama Legislature as State Normal School Troy, to train teachers for Alabama's schools. It is now a four-year public university with a network of campuses in Alabama and worldwide and more than 240 undergraduate and graduate programme options, including doctoral programmes. College Navigator counts 13,658 students across the university, 10,222 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1. For autumn 2024 the university received 9,474 undergraduate applications and admitted 96% of applicants.

The Troy campus offers more than 150 student organisations, study abroad, NCAA Division I athletics and a range of housing options. The university also has a campus near Dothan for adult learners and one in Montgomery, the state capital, aimed at non-traditional students.

Teaching is in English. According to the university, more than 60 graduate and undergraduate programmes are open to international students. Undergraduate applicants can show their English level with, for example, an IELTS score of at least 5.5 or a Duolingo score of at least 95. The main campus also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, which prepare students for academic study at the university. The US academic year usually runs from August to May, according to EducationUSA.

Student visa

International students normally need an F student visa, which covers study at an accredited college or university and English courses at a language institute. Once you are accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), its international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) to present when you apply for the visa. Troy University's orientation for new international students includes a mandatory pre-arrival session, free airport pickup and help with housing. With the international student office's permission, international students may work on campus for up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

International students pay the out-of-state rate at public universities. According to College Navigator, a first-year undergraduate at Troy University paid $20,352 in out-of-state tuition and fees in 2024-25, plus $9,500 for food and housing on campus. The estimated total for an out-of-state student living on campus was $35,368. These amounts change every year, so check the university's current cost page before planning a budget.

Local transport adds little: the campus shuttle is typically free for registered students.

Getting around and daily life

Troy University runs five shuttle routes from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. One line serves downtown Troy and another goes to Walmart, the Troy Regional Medical Center and other off-campus locations. There is no service at weekends, during semester breaks or on university holidays, so many students rely on a car or lifts for trips outside those hours. A shuttle to Montgomery Airport is available on request at a set cost.

Winters are mild and summers hot. NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Troy give an average temperature of 47.6 °F (about 9 °C) in January and 80.9 °F (about 27 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Troy, Alabama?

Our directory lists Troy University, a public university founded in 1887 whose main campus is in the town.

How much does a year at Troy University cost for an international student?

For 2024-25, College Navigator gives $20,352 in out-of-state tuition and fees and an estimated total of $35,368 for a student living on campus.

What English level do I need for Troy University?

Undergraduate applicants can submit, among other tests, an IELTS score of at least 5.5 or a Duolingo score of at least 95. Students who need more English can take ESL courses on the main campus.

Do I need a car in Troy?

Not on weekdays for getting around campus: the university shuttle runs five routes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no service at weekends or during breaks.