Ahmednagar College, the first and the oldest institution of higher education in Ahmednagar district, has always been a pioneer in the fields of education and research. A premier institution of learning for traditional as well as new-age subjects, the name of the College is synonymous with quality education. It is a college founded by a visionary, Dr. Bhaskar Pandurang Hivale, and built by committed and eminent educators, Dr. Thomas Barnabas and Rev. Prof. Joseph Barnabas.

The motto of the College, Not Things, But Men, highlights the unwavering dedication of the College to the ideals of building personalities. We strive to impart cutting-edge knowledge grounded in values, pertinent skills in relevant fields and a healthy enthusiasm for constructive work. Because, since its inception, our institution has believed that tomorrow should be better. In moulding the all round personality of the students, we are committed to this idea of creating bright young minds that are fully capable, willing and well-equipped.

The excellence of the College is attested by the fact that students from all parts of India come here to study - from north to south and from west to east. It is also significant that having studied in Ahmednagar College, many then scatter across the globe. The quality of the education imparted in the College is also certified by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore, which awarded Ahmednagar College with an 'A' grade twice, in 2004 and in 2012. In 2018, the college underwent a third cycle of NAAC accreditation and was awarded ‘B++’ grade. Further recommendation has come also from the University of Pune in the form of the 'Best College Award. In 2012, the College enhanced its prestige by winning two coveted grants: CPE from UGC and FIST from DST. In 2013 the College was bestowed with the 'Educational Excellence Award' by the Brands Academy, New Delhi and in 2015 'Most Promising Educational Institute' Award by Worldwide Achievers, New Delhi. In 2016 the College was bestowed with three awards: 'International Quality Award for Excellence in Higher Education', 'Best College in Maharashtra for Innovative Educational Programmes' and 'Most Promising Degree College in West India'.

Ahmednagar College in its main campus runs a host of academic programmes starting from XI to PhD in various subjects. The courses offered in the College are recognized by the Maharashtra HSC Board, University of Pune and other competent bodies. In order to enrich the skills of the students and to help them better use their time during their stay in the College, we offer several Value-added Courses. Ahmednagar College is the study centre for YCMOU degree courses in Arts and Commerce including a course in Journalism. The College also runs Remedial Coaching Classes for SC/ST and Minority students, and centre for Gandhian Studies, Women's Studies & Human Rights. There are many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that the College enables the students to take part in. The College NSS unit is very active with nearly 200 students enrolling each year. To develop among students a sense of social responsibility, the College also has a voluntary social work initiative called “SNEHABANDHA”. We have a well-equipped gymkhana and sports department, a theatre unit, a hobby centre, among others. We encourage our students to make the best use of the available facilities such as: placement cell, personality development and counseling cell, competitive examination cell and cultural activity centre.

Ahmednagar College Library is well known for its rich resources that become richer each year. The Library has (men's and women's) reading halls, a conference hall, newspaper and magazine section, museum, rare books section, journals section, reference books section and audio-video collection. The Library organizes various exhibitions to enhance students' exposure to the latest available information and knowledge in various fields.

The College has a highly qualified teaching faculty who are committed to teaching as well as research. Many members of the teaching faculty have completed their Ph.D or M.Phil and some are research guides. The College has research centres in Physics, Zoology, Geography, Commerce, English, Marathi, Botany and Chemistry. More than hundred students are completing their doctoral research under various research guides from the College. The members of the faculty are also involved in major and minor research projects sponsored by such prestigious national bodies as ISRO, UGC, CSIR, DST, as also BCUD, University of Pune. The College also has collaboration with other research institutions. The quality of the research underway in the College may be gauged by the fact that many of our teachers have published their research findings in reputed national and international journals. Some of our teachers have written textbooks and reference books.

The College has excellent infrastructure for both learning and living. We have well equipped laboratories, conference halls, syndicate room, independent set up for research centres & Department, large classrooms and computer labs. The playgrounds are spacious. There are hostels for men and women students, mess facilities, common rooms, health centre, extension counter of bank and consumer stores. Students are also provided the facility of Earn and Learn Scheme. The College is the sole training centre in the Western region for NSS officers. The College has the base of the 17th Battalion of the NCC.

To the north of the main campus are located the ISWR and IMSCDR, sister institutes of the College offering courses in Social Work, Communications, Management and Computers. A dream sown at the dawn of independence in India has grown into a magnificent tree in its six decades of progress. Headed by Dr. R. J. Barnabas as the Principal since November 2005, the College has re-dedicated itself to quality higher education and unalloyed service to the society. Alert to the fast changing scenario in both education and the job market, under the command of its youthful and energetic Principal, the College is pushing open new avenues in the manner, nature and content of the education provided. New horizons unfold as the College leads its new generation of students into new areas of knowledge.