10 Oldest Colleges & Universities in North America

What Is the First College Established in North America?

The first institution of higher learning established in North America was Harvard University in 1636. North America has many historic colleges and universities and is home to many of the top-ranked institutions in the world.

Many of the oldest universities are located along the East Coast of the United States and were established in the original English colonies such as:

• Virginia
• Rhode Island
• Massachusetts
• New York

Several main historic universities also have ties to religious groups such as the Presbyterian or Moravian traditions. Learn more about the oldest colleges and universities to find an institution with an inspiring legacy.

First College in North America: Harvard University

Harvard University was founded by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on October 28, 1636. The university is named for a benefactor, John Harvard, and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Harvard is not only the first university in America it is also among the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. Harvard University is made up of 14 schools including Harvard College and 13 graduate and professional schools.

Oldest Colleges and Universities in North America

1. Harvard University

Harvard University was the first university in North America and has grown to become one of the most famous universities in the world. Notable Harvard alumni include U.S. presidents:

• Barack Obama
• John F. Kennedy
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• George W. Bush

2. The College of William & Mary

The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest university in North America. The college was given its royal charter by the English monarchs it was named for.

The College of William & Mary currently has five collegiate schools including:

• Arts
• Sciences
• Business
• Education
• Marine Science
• Law

The university's campus also holds one of the oldest standing structures in the United States.

3. St. John's College

Originally called King William's School, St. John's College is a historic liberal arts college founded in 1696. The college has campuses in Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

St. John's College is a colonial college founded to give young scholars a broad foundation in the liberal arts and humanities. St. John's College is still a great place to earn a highly respected degree.

4. Yale University

Yale University is a prestigious Ivy League university and is also among the oldest institutions of higher education. Yale was established in 1701 and is located in New Haven, Connecticut.

The university was named for Elihu Yale and originally offered religious training for ministers but broadened its curriculum in 1777. Like many other colleges in New England, Yale University has strong ties to British colonial education. Yale also houses the third-largest academic library in America and offers over 15 million volumes.

5. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is another famous Ivy League school founded by the American scholar Benjamin Franklin. The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 and chartered in 1755.

The University of Pennsylvania, sometimes called Penn, is the oldest university medical school in the United States and is also known for its award-winning business, law, and management programs.

6. Moravian College

Moravian College was established in 1742 and is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It's most notable for being the first North American university to offer education to women and is still considered one of the top private liberal arts colleges in the country.

7. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware was founded by Presbyterian ministers in 1743 to educate clergy. The school relocated to its current location in Newark, Delaware in 1769. The University of Delaware is a noted research university offering one of the oldest study-abroad programs in the country. This institution is now a modern university with a rich tradition.

8. Princeton University

Princeton University was originally the College of New Jersey and also finds its roots in the Presbyterian tradition. The university opened its doors in 1746 and is located in the town of Princeton, New Jersey.

Princeton is considered one of the most rigorous institutions of higher learning and has played a role in many scientific breakthroughs. Princeton's mathematics department is currently ranked fourth in the world and the university has hosted key figures such as Albert Einstein.

9. Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University was founded in 1749 with the financial support of George Washington. The private liberal arts college is nestled in historic Lexington, Virginia.

General Robert E. Lee served as the president of the university from 1865 until 1870 and is commemorated in the name of the university. Washington and Lee University is known for its unique mode of self-governance including a strict code of honor that students adhere to.

10. Columbia University

Columbia University rounds out the top 10 oldest universities in North America. Columbia was founded by the royal charter of King George II in 1754 and was originally named King's College.

Columbia University is known for having educated five of the Founding Fathers and many other notable figures. The university's arts and humanities program currently ranks ninth in the world. Several other notable historic universities just outside the top 10 oldest colleges include Dartmouth College and Brown University.

FAQs About the Oldest Colleges and Universities in North America

Find answers to common questions about the oldest institutions of higher education in North America.

What Is the Oldest Ivy League School?

The oldest Ivy League school is Harvard University. Many of the Ivy League schools are also among the oldest universities with histories going back to the American Revolution and before. Ivy League schools are known for their rigorous educational programs and prestigious alumni.

What Is the World's Oldest College?

The University of Al Quaraouiyine has the distinction of being the oldest university in the world. The University of Al Quaraouiyine is located in Fez, Morocco, and was founded in 859 A.D. The university was integrated into Morocco's state university system in 1963.

While the oldest universities in North America seem historic, the oldest universities in the world predate them by nearly one thousand years.

What Is the Oldest Public U.S. College?

Founded in 1693, the College of William & Mary is the oldest public university in the United States. The College of William & Mary is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Notable figures who studied at William & Mary College were:

• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson
• Several signers of the Declaration of Independence

Other early public colleges include the University of Georgia, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

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