[9] The school opened on May 1, 1875, at a church on Eustis Street, with instruction for 61 teaching students overseen by Principal Councill, assisted by Rev.

[9] In 1881, the faculty pooled money from their salaries to purchase two and a half acres (1.0 ha) on West Clinton Street.

The State Black Archives Research Center and Museum is located in the James H. Wilson Building, a national registered historical structure.

Groundbreaking was held for the School of Business facility in 1995 and Louis Crews Stadium and Ernest L. Knight Complex Residence Hall construction began.

[12] The system employs more than 800 faculty, professional educators, and staff members operating in offices in each of Alabama's 67 counties and in nine urban centers covering the major regions of the state.

[13][14] In conjunction with the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, the system also staffs six extension and research centers located in the state's principal geographic regions.

[13] Since 2004, "Alabama Extension" has functioned primarily as a regionally based system in which the bulk of educational programming is delivered by agents operating across a multi-county area and specializing in specific fields.

[13] In the 2017–2018 award year, 3,701 Alabama A&M University students received financial assistance from Pell Grants, totaling $18,323,395.

[16] In 2023, the Marching Maroon & White made history becoming the first HBCU band to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

[17][18] The Marching Maroon & White has two auxiliaries, the Dancin' Divas (danceline), and the Fabulous flags (color guard).

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, the choir performed a concert at the Alabama Music Educators Association Annual Conference.

"[19] Prior to joining the SWAC, Alabama A&M competed in the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1941 to 1998.

Notable athletes include Pro Football Hall of Famer and 4-time Super Bowl Champion John Stallworth, NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Robert Mathis, two-time NFL Pro Bowler Howard Ballard, Olympic Gold Medalist Jearl Miles Clark, Andre Brick Haley, Desmond Cambridge, Obie Trotter, and Mickell Gladness.

Gladness set an NCAA Division I single game record with 16 blocks against Texas Southern on February 24, 2007.