As depicted in its official logo, the university has a four-pronged function: instruction, research, extension, and production.

The university's biggest campus is located in Banga, occupying 100 hectares (1,000,000 m2) of land below Manduyog Hill, a tourist attraction famous for its life-sized Way of the Cross.

Before its integration into ASCA in 1999 and eventually becoming the College of Industrial Technology of Aklan State University, it was a separate institution known as the Roxas Memorial School of Arts and Trades (RMSAT) established in 1960 by virtue of Republic Acts 1952 and 2417[5][6] authored by Cong.

Before its integration into ASCA in 1999 and eventually becoming the College of Hospitality And Rural Resource Management of Aklan State University, it was a separate institution known as the Ibajay National Agricultural and Industrial School (INAIS), established in 1965 as a feeder school of Aklan Agricultural College by virtue of Republic Act 4486 authored by Cong.

Before its integration into ASCA in 1999 and eventually becoming the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of Aklan State University, it was a separate institution established as New Washington Junior High School in 1948 and later New Washington High School when it progressed to complete secondary course.

As of 2022, the Makato extension is home to the College of Human Development and Performance Sciences (formerly the Teacher Education Center), and occupies 10 hectares (25 acres) in Barangay Calangcang.

[13] The key stakeholders of ASU make up its Board of Regents, chaired by the Commissioner of the Commission of Higher Education and vice-chaired by the University President.

The members of the Board include the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Culture, the Undersecretary for R&D of the Department of Science and Technology, the Assistant Director General from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), two representatives from the private sector, and the three presidents of the federations of associations in ASU composed of the Alumni Association, the Faculty Association, and the Federation of University Student Council.