10 Oldest Universities in the US: Know When the First College was Founded in America

The United States is home to some of the oldest universities in the world. Some are even older than the country itself. Harvard University, for instance,  was founded in the 17th Century as the bedrock of a new intellectual landscape. The whole purpose of its establishment was to educate clergy and leaders for a budding society in New England. It was obviously a time when the curriculum was centered around theology and the classics, whereas the graduating classes were a mere handful of men. The general essence is that the oldest universities in the US may be infamous for their traditional heritage, but they continue to shape the world.  

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The 10 Oldest Universities in the USA

Here is a list of the 10 historic universities in America that are still in existence.

1. Harvard University

The oldest and first university in the US is Harvard. It was founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, originally as New College. The reason behind its establishment was purely to train Puritan ministers. But it was renamed as Harvard College in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, in 1639. The honor was reciprocated for receiving half of his estate and library for the new school. 

2. The College of William and Mary

The title of the second-oldest institution in America goes to the College of William and Mary. It was founded in 1693 by a royal charter issued by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. This was also the first institution to have the distinction of being the first to have a student honor code, along with a rich history intertwined with the American Revolution. 

3. St. John’s College

St. John's College was founded in 1696 as King William's School in Annapolis, Maryland. It was chartered as St. John's College in 1784. This private liberal arts college is known for its unique Great Books curriculum, where students read and discuss the foundational works of Western civilization. The college has two campuses, one in Annapolis and another in Santa Fe, New Mexico. St. John's offers a classical education that emphasizes critical thinking, discussion, and a deep engagement with timeless texts.

4. Yale University

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, was founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School. It was originally established to train ministers in theology and sacred languages. In 1718, the school was renamed Yale College in honor of a generous donation from Elihu Yale, a governor of the British East India Company. It was the first university in the US to award a Ph.D. in 1861.

5. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, often called Penn, was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. It is located in Philadelphia. Penn was one of the first universities in the country to offer both undergraduate and graduate studies and the first to establish a medical school in 1765.

6. Moravian University

Moravian University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1742 by Countess Benigna von Zinzendorf. It was the first boarding school for young women in the American colonies, originally known as the Bethlehem Female Seminary. It later merged with the Moravian College and Theological Seminary.

7. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware traces its roots to 1743 when the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison founded a Free School in New London, Pennsylvania. The school later moved to Newark, Delaware, and was chartered as the Academy of Newark in 1769. It was officially chartered as the University of Delaware in 1833.

8. Princeton University

Princeton University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. It was originally established by "New Light" Presbyterians to train ministers. The university moved to its current location in 1756. Nassau Hall, its oldest building, was the temporary capital of the United States for four months in 1783. 

9. Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University, located in Lexington, Virginia, was founded in 1749 as Augusta Academy. It was later renamed Liberty Hall in the spirit of the American Revolution. Its first major benefactor was George Washington, who endowed the academy with a gift of stock in 1796. The university's current name honors both Washington and Robert E. Lee, who served as president of the university after the Civil War.

10. Columbia University

Columbia University, located in New York City, was founded in 1754 as King's College by a royal charter from King George II of Great Britain. After the American Revolution, it was renamed Columbia College in 1784. Columbia also administers the prestigious Pulitzer Prize and has a long history of producing influential alumni, including five Founding Fathers of the United States.

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The oldest universities in America are rightfully the bedrock of its intellectual identity. They are more than just historical landmarks. Evolving from colonial schools to revolutionary hubs, their true legacy is adaptability.