Steeped in history and academic prestige, the oldest universities in the US whisper tales of a bygone era. Founded centuries ago, even before the nation itself, these institutions have seen revolutions, nurtured brilliant minds, and shaped the American landscape. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The ancestor planted the tree, I grafted the bough; but the young shoots must grow for themselves." Let's explore the top 15 oldest colleges in the US, where the roots of American education run deep.
15 Top Oldest Universities in the USA
Higher education in America dates back to the colonial era that dates back to 1600’s when the first institutions of higher learning were established to serve the colonies. Today, these oldest universities in the USA continue their legacy of excellence in academics, research, and policymaking. In fact, you can easily apply for the USA student visa without any complications. Below is a list of the oldest American universities along with their establishment year, location and famous alumni.
1. Harvard University
Year of Establishment: 1636
Location: Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Alumni: Mark Zuckerburg, Bill Gates, Natalie Portman
QS Ranking: #4
Harvard University is the first university in the United States, renowned for academic excellence and its low acceptance rate. The programs offered are among the best in the country, attracting students from all over the world. From political leaders to tech giants and Hollywood stars, Harvard has some of the most popular alumni, cementing its legacy as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world. A mix of historic and modern architecture, with notable landmarks such as the Widener Library and the Harvard Yard, Harvard is truly the oldest American university.
2. College of William & Mary
Year of establishment: 1693
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Alumni: U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, Jon Stewart, Glenn Close
QS Ranking: #901-950
The College of William & Mary has a distinguished history as one of the oldest colleges in the US. Offering more than 40 undergraduate majors and minors, along with 50 graduate and professional programs, it focuses on quality education with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. Being one of the oldest universities in the United States, the campus features historic buildings, including the Sir Christopher Wren Building, which is still in use.
3. St John's College
Year of establishment: 1696
Location: Annapolis, MD
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Alumni: Francis Scott Key, Jacob Bronowski, Caleb Carr
QS Ranking: #161-170
St. John's College is one of the oldest public universities in US. This liberal arts college has campuses in Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, Mexico, with a unique approach to providing education. The institution offers a rigorous program that emphasises the study of classic literature, philosophy, mathematics, and the sciences. The college has a single academic program, known as the Great Books Program, which consists of a 4-year course that is centred on the reading and discussion of influential texts from Western civilization.
4. Yale University
Year of establishment: 1701
Location: New Haven, CT
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Alumni: U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Meryl Streep, Paul Krugman
QS Ranking: #16
Yale University is one of the most prestigious and oldest colleges in the US. It is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum and world-class graduate programs. Being the oldest American university is just one unique point; the university has built a reputation for academic excellence. It is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world. Its strong emphasis on research and innovation has led to numerous groundbreaking discoveries and inventions attributed to its faculty and students.
5. University of Pennsylvania
Year of establishment: 1740
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Alumni: U.S. President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Andrea Mitchell
QS Ranking: #12
Also known as Penn, the University of Pennsylvania is another private Ivy League Research University with a diverse student body with more than 26,000 students studying in the 100 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate programs offered. Being one of the oldest universities in the United States, it has some historic buildings like the Fisher Fine Arts Library and the Franklin Field stadium. The University of Pennsylvania also offers students the opportunity to acquire an education of the highest quality while being a part of a diverse and intellectually stimulating community established in 1740!
6. Moravian University
Year of establishment: 1742
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Alumni: H. Richard Niebuhr, John Amos Comenius, Jeffery D. Long
Moravian University is a small private liberal arts university with a long history and a commitment to academic excellence. The university offers over 50 undergraduate majors and minors alongside top graduate programs. Moravian's notable alumni include some of the most influential thinkers and scholars of their time, reflecting the university's commitment to producing leaders in a variety of fields. The students are engaged in research, internships, and study abroad programs to further interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experience.
7. University of Delaware
Year of establishment: 1743
Location: Newark, DE
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Alumni: U.S. President Joe Biden, Elena Delle Donne, Scott Isaacs, Beverly Daniel Tatum
The University of Delaware, or U.D. for short, is a public research university known for its strong academic programs, research opportunities, and commitment to innovation. The university offers over 150 undergraduate majors alongside 100 plus graduate programs spread across various schools like the College of Engineering, College of Education and Human Development, and the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. Despite being one of the oldest colleges in the U.S., the University of Delaware offers a blend of traditional and contemporary features, like the iconic Memorial Hall and the state-of-the-art Roselle Center for the Arts.
If you are planning to apply to any of these mentioned universities, make sure you check the requirements for their entrance exam. These universities mainly focus on exams such as SAT and GRE.
8. Princeton University
Year of establishment: 1746
Location: Princeton, NJ
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Alumni: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama
QS Ranking: 17
Needing very little introduction, although many do not know of it being one of the oldest American universities, Princeton University is a private Ivy League Research University known for its academic excellence, rather distinguished faculty, and beautiful campus in the U.K. The university has various schools, like the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, offering over 50 undergraduate majors and more than 75 graduate programs.
9. Washington and Lee University
Founded: 1749
Location: Lexington, VA
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Alumni: John W. Davis, Robert E. Lee, Tom Wolfe
QS Ranking: #21
Named after George Washington, who donated a large sum of money to the university, and Robert E. Lee, who served as its president after the Civil War, Washington and Lee University is one the oldest colleges in the US, with an emphasis on honour and integrity while being committed to preparing students to lead the way into the future. Washington and Lee University, or W&L, also houses the iconic Lee Chapel and Museum, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee.
10. Columbia University
Year of establishment: 1754
Location: New York City, NY
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Alumni: U.S. President Barack Obama, Warren Buffet, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
QS Ranking: #23
Located in New York City, while being one of the oldest colleges in the US, Columbia University has over 31,000 students studying in its 80+ undergraduate and 200 graduate programs. You can choose from schools like the School of International and Public Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Columbia Business School. The university makes sure to deliver the best education in the world. Experiential learning and research set the students apart from others.
11. Brown University
Year of establishment: 1764
Location: Providence, R.L.
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Alumni: John D. Rockefeller Jr., Emma Watson, Jeffrey Eugenides
QS Ranking: 73
Brown University is a private Ivy League Research University known for its innovative approach to education, student autonomy, diversity and inclusion. Located in Rhode Island, this oldest American university has a beautiful campus and features the historic Van Wickle Gates and modern Friedman Hall. The university is known for its open curriculum, where students can customise their academic programs and are encouraged to explore and experience interdisciplinary learning.
12. Rutgers University
Year of establishment: 1766
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Alumni: Milton Friedman, James Gandolfini, Kristen Davis
QS Ranking: #771-780
Rutgers University is also known as The State University of New Jersey. It is one of the oldest colleges in the US, with a long tradition of hosting strong programs from its arsenal of 150 undergraduate and 400+ graduate programs. Constantly ranked among the top public universities in the US., the university features old and new buildings alike, such as the Old Queens building and Rutgers Business School building.
13. Dartmouth College
Year of establishment: 1769
Location: Hanover, NH
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Alumni: Dr. Seuss, Robert Frost, Shonda Rhimes, Mindy Kaling
QS Ranking: #=237
Being founded in the 60’s definitely puts it on the list of the oldest colleges in the US., and knowing Dr. Seuss studied here itself implies how brilliant this college is. Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League Research University with various schools and departments like the Tuck School of Business and the Thayer School of Engineering, offering 50 undergraduate and 20+ graduate degrees. The college focuses on building critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills for its students and provides an active and supportive alumni network.
14. College of Charleston
Year of establishment: 1770
Location: Charleston, SC
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Alumni: Shepard Fairey, Pat Conroy, Stephen Colbert
QS Ranking: #1648
The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university offering 70+ undergraduate and graduate programs to its student body of more than 10,000 students! The college also offers study abroad programs in over 60 countries, promoting international experience and cultural exchange. Internships, research, and service-learning are provided to the students to ensure they are prepared for the future. The iconic Randolph Hall is a testament to its status as one of the oldest colleges in the U.S.
15. Salem College
Year of establishment: 1772
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Alumni: Elizabeth O. Hiller, Emily Prager, Cindy Hensley McCain
QS Ranking: 501-600
Salem College is a private women's liberal arts college and is one of the oldest colleges in the US. for women, with a small student population of 1,100. The college is renowned for its focus on women's leadership and empowerment. The college offers a variety of leadership development programs, which include the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, the Leadership Institute, and the Women in Public Service Project.
The oldest colleges in the US have produced some of the most influential thinkers, leaders, and innovators of our time. So, if you are looking for a reason to study in the USA, look no further than these oldest colleges in the US.! If you are planning to apply to any of these mentioned universities, make sure you check the requirements for their entrance exam, such as SAT and GRE.