17 Oldest Colleges In The US

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both studied at one of the oldest universities in the world? The College of William and Mary or (W&M). But that’s not all; there’s more that awaits you to turn the pages of history and peep through their journey. These institutions, among the oldest colleges in the US, have been pivotal in shaping leaders and preserving the legacy of American education. Without any further ado, let’s get started and discover the oldest universities in the US.

Top Oldest Colleges in the US

The United States is home to some of the oldest colleges in America, many of which continue to be beacons of academic excellence. From Harvard University, widely recognized as the oldest university in the USA, to the University of Pennsylvania, these prestigious oldest schools in the US have been shaping American graduates for centuries. Join us as we explore the most distinguished and long-standing colleges among the oldest colleges in the US.

1. Harvard University

Year of Establishment: 1636
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Popular Courses: Business Administration, Law, Medicine, Computer Science
Alumni: Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Natalie Portman
Number of Students Enrolled: 20,000–25,000

“Harvard University's Widener Library boasts 57 miles of shelf space and can accommodate over three million volumes.”

Founded 387 years ago, Harvard University is the first university in the US and also the oldest American college. It was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Its Widener Library and Harvard Yard stand as iconic landmarks, while alumni like Barack Obama and Bill Gates have shaped global politics and technology. The Harvard-Yale football rivalry remains a treasured tradition. The curriculum at the oldest universities in the USA included the requirement of Latin speaking for applications. Once accepted, the students had to take up courses in other languages, such as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, through dramas and histories. Harvard is truly the oldest American university. Harvard University's acceptance rates are always less, making this oldest university in USA the most competitive one.

2. College of William & Mary

Year of Establishment: 1693
‍Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
‍Popular Courses: Political Science, History, Business Administration
‍Alumni: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Jon Stewart
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 9,000

"The College of William and Mary is the birthplace of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society."

The College of William & Mary was founded 330 years ago and is among the oldest colleges in the US, established under a royal charter. The college has a traditional walk ceremony for newly enrolled students during the convocation ceremony, called ‘Welcome Home’, where the faculty and important members of society greet them. This college recently got mass media coverage for renewing the traditional walk for the 2023-2024 students. As 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. Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence and shaped the nation was from here.

3. St John's College

Year of Establishment: 1696
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Popular Courses: Liberal Arts, Philosophy, History
Alumni: Francis Scott Key, Jacob Bronowski, Caleb Carr
Number of Students Enrolled: 800

“The students of St. Johns College were called Red Men before Red Storm owing to the Native American Heritage.”

St. John's College is one of the oldest public universities in US with an elaborate history of 143 years founded by by the Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Maryland. The liberal arts college has campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe Mexico, with a unique approach to providing education. One of the oldest colleges in the US, St. John’s College remains one of the best universities in the US today due to its adaptable nature. The oldest university in the US launched its new logo, redesigned university crest, and an online Johnnie Store, recently. A notable alumnus Francis Scott Key penned “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

4. Yale University

Year of Establishment: 1701
‍Location: New Haven, Connecticut
‍Popular Courses: Law, Political Science, Economics
‍Alumni: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Meryl Streep
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 13,600

“Yale was named after a wealthy British Merchant, Elihu Yale, who made several donations.”

Yale University is one of the most prestigious and oldest colleges in the US, originally chartered by the colonial legislature of Connecticut in 1701. It has one of the most beautiful urban campuses in the USA, with tree-lined pathways and canopies. Being the third oldest American university, it went through a lot of changes over the period, such as the name from Collegiate College to Yale in 1716. Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world, one of the oldest universities in the US, once emphasized classical studies and orthodox Puritanism adherence. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both served as U.S. Presidents and they were from here. Read our blog to know more about the top universities in the world which will help you excel in your academic as well as professional career.

5. University of Pennsylvania

Year of Establishment: 1740
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Popular Courses: Business Administration, Engineering, Law
Alumni: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Andrea Mitchell
Number of Students Enrolled: 26,600

“The Penn University remained unfinished for over a decade.”

Also known as Penn, the University of Pennsylvania was founded over 280 years ago by Benjamin Franklin. It is another private Ivy League Research University with a diverse student body: more than 26,000 students study in the 100 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate programs offered. As 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. The famous Elon Musk revolutionized transportation and space exploration with Tesla and SpaceX and was a student at one of the oldest US university. If you are interested in knowing more about Ivy League schools, check out our blog on what are Ivy League schools.

6. Moravian University

Year of Establishment: 1742
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Popular Courses: Nursing, Business, Education
Alumni: H. Richard Niebuhr, John Amos Comenius, Jeffery D. Long
Number of Students Enrolled: 2,500

“George Washington’s nieces studied here.”

Established over 280 years ago by the Moravian Church, 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. The students are engaged in research, internships, and study abroad programs to further interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experience. H. Richard Niebuhr, who became a leading theologian completed his studies from here.

7. University of Delaware

Year of Establishment: 1743
Location: Newark, Delaware
Popular Courses: Engineering, Business, Health Sciences
Alumni: Joe Biden, Elena Delle Donne, Beverly Daniel Tatum
Number of Students Enrolled: 24,000

“According to The Kissing Arches legend, couples will be blessed with marriage if they kiss five times beneath the triple brick arches near Memorial Hall.”

Founded over 280 years ago by Francis Alison, the University of Delaware The need for an educated clergy led Reverend Dr. Francis Alison to foundation one of the oldest universities in the US. The initial proposal for a free school in New London, Pennsylvania, led to one of the oldest universities in the US. The university also shifted its location to New Ark, where it was finally renamed from the New Ark College to the current University of Delaware in 1843. A notable alumnus, Joe Biden served as the 46th President of the United States. Within less than 20 years, the institute was designated as one of the land grant colleges in the US. The iconic Memorial Hall and the state-of-the-art Roselle Center for the Arts still survive, reminiscent of the architectural wonder they displayed.

If you are planning to apply to any of these universities, make sure you check the requirements and entrance exam guide for the same. These universities mainly focus on exams such as the SAT and GRE.

8. Princeton University

Year of Establishment: 1746
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Popular Courses: Public Policy, Economics, Computer Science
Alumni: Woodrow Wilson, Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama
Number of Students Enrolled: 8,500

“On November 19, 1969, Charles "Pete" Conrad, a 1953 graduate, became the 3rd person to walk on the moon & placed a Princeton flag on it.”

Established over 275 years ago by New Light Presbyterians, one of the oldest American colleges, Princeton University, was initially The College of New Jersey until 1896. One of the many prolific achievements of the oldest US university was a series of Olympic gold, silver, and bronze in short put, discus, long jump, and high jump in 1896 by Robert Garrett. If we look at some of the revolutionary moves in current times by one of the oldest colleges in the US, it has embarked on a journey for a net-zero campus. The famous Michelle Obama who advocated for social justice as First Lady, was from here.

9. Washington and Lee University

Year of Establishment: 1749
Location: Lexington, Virginia
Popular Courses: Political Science, Business Administration, Law
Alumni: John W. Davis, Robert E. Lee, Tom Wolfe
Number of Students Enrolled: 2,200

“George Washington provided 100 shares of stock in the James River Canal Company to sustain the institution.”

Founded over 270 years ago with support from George Washington, named after George Washington and Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who was also its president after the Civil War, Washington and Lee University is one the oldest colleges in the US. One of the pioneering institutions has been renamed multiple times, starting from Augustus Academy to the current Washington and Lee University in the year 1813, after the 100 shares donation by George Washington. The iconic Lee Chapel and Arlington House Museum, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert E. Lee, stands as a testimony of the good work in America even during the period of unrest and wars, both outside and within the US. John W. Davis from this university served as a U.S. Ambassador to the UK.

10. Columbia University

Year of Establishment: 1754
‍Location: New York City, New York
‍Popular Courses: Journalism, Business, Medicine
‍Alumni: Barack Obama, Warren Buffett, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 33,300

“The Student Homophile League is the nation's oldest student-run LGBTQ+ rights organization.”

One of the oldest colleges in the US, Columbia University was established over 265 years ago by King George II. Initially known as King’s College, stands on the land where the Battle of Harlem Heights was fought during the American Revolution. It is also among the nine oldest colleges in the US to have been chartered in the American colonies. Apart from being the pioneer and one of the oldest colleges in the US, the university was the first to introduce M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in 1770. Ruth Bader Ginsburg from this university championed gender equality as a Supreme Court Justice.

11. Brown University

Year of Establishment: 1764
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Popular Courses: Economics, Political Science, Biology
Alumni: John D. Rockefeller Jr., Emma Watson, Jeffrey Eugenides
Number of Students Enrolled: 10,000

“Brown University’s first chancellor, Stephen Hopkins, was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence.”

Brown University which was founded over 260 years ago by a Baptist leader is the 7th college in colonial America list, which also makes it one of the oldest colleges in America. The College of Rhodes received its current name in 1801 after the generous donation of $5,000 by the businessman Nicholas Brown. The beautiful campus features the historic Van Wickle Gates and modern Friedman Hall. Also, this oldest American university tries very hard and innovative ways to safeguard historical trees, such as the American Beech, American Elm, and Eastern Hemlock Trees, which are linked to the prolific history of the oldest US university. Emma Watson who graduated from here advocated for gender equality as a U.N. Ambassador.

12. Rutgers University

Year of Establishment: 1766
‍Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
‍Popular Courses: Engineering, Business, Social Work
‍Alumni: Milton Friedman, James Gandolfini, Kristen Davis
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 70,000

“The Yokoi Brothers were the first Japanese students of Rutgers in 1866.”

Rutgers University started as Queens College and got its current name in 1825 after Colonel Henry Rutger, a Revolutionary War Hero. It is one of the oldest colleges in the US, with a history dating back more than 250 years, before the American Revolution. You can say as one of the nine universities founded during the colonial era of America, the bricks of the college saw the country take shape. Apart from being one of the founding and oldest colleges in the US, the university also expanded globally by sending its students to study abroad under the “Junior Year Abroad”. Currently, students of Rutgers from all backgrounds and fields of study can enroll in the study abroad program at one of the oldest universities in the US. A notable alumnus Milton Friedman influenced modern economics with groundbreaking theories.

13. Dartmouth College

Year of Establishment: 1769
‍Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
‍Popular Courses: Liberal Arts, Medicine, Economics
‍Alumni: Dr. Seuss, Robert Frost, Mindy Kaling
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 6,500

“The Rassias Method® for foreign language was invented by Dartmouth Professor John Rassias in the 1960s.”

Being founded in the century over 250 years ago by Reverend Eleazar Wheelock definitely puts it on the list of the oldest colleges in the US. Knowing Dr. Seuss studied here itself implies how brilliant, one of the first and oldest universities in the US is. Dartmouth College is a 269-acre campus built on the riverbank of the Connecticut River. The foundational objective of one of the oldest colleges in the US was to impart education to the youths of Indian tribes, English youth, and others. Owing to the unwavering commitment, there are more than 1,200 native graduates in the alumni circle and more than 200 students representing 70+ tribal nations and communities.  

14. College of Charleston

Year of Establishment: 1770
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Popular Courses: Marine Biology, Arts Management, Political Science
Alumni: Stephen Colbert, Shepard Fairey, Pat Conroy
Number of Students Enrolled: 10,885

Boasts the distinction of being the oldest educational institution south of Virginia and the 13th oldest in the United States.

Established over 250 years ago by local citizens and leaders, the College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university offering 70+ undergraduate and graduate programs to its more than 10,000+ student body! 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. The famous Stephen Colbert who redefined late-night comedy graduated from here.

15. Salem College

Year of Establishment: 1772
‍Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
‍Popular Courses: Business Administration, Education, Nursing
‍Alumni: Elizabeth O. Hiller, Cindy McCain, Emily Prager
‍Number of Students Enrolled: 469

Honor of being the oldest continuously operating educational institution for women in the United States. 

Founded over 250 years ago by the Moravian Church, Salem College is a private women's liberal arts college and 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, including the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, the Leadership Institute, and the Women in Public Service Project. Alumni like Cindy McCain have made global impacts, and its annual Candle Tea preserves Moravian cultural heritage.

16. Transylvania University

Year of Establishment: 1780
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Popular Courses: History, Political Science, Biology
Alumni: Jefferson Davis, Stephen F. Austin
Number of Students Enrolled: 979

Transylvania University is the first university west of the Allegheny Mountains and the 16th oldest in the United States.

Founded 240 years ago by the Virginia Assembly, Transylvania University holds the distinction of being the first college established west of the Allegheny Mountains. Being one of the top oldest colleges in the US, Its esteemed alumni roster includes two U.S. vice presidents (Jefferson Davis served as the Confederate President), two Supreme Court justices, and numerous other government officials, cementing its legacy as a cradle of American leadership and education.

17. Washington & Jefferson College

Year of Establishment: 1781
Location: Washington, Pennsylvania
Popular Courses: Political Science, Pre-Medicine, Business Administration
Alumni: James G. Blaine, Thomas E. Dewey
Number of Students Enrolled: 1,151

One of the oldest continuous football programs in the United States, dating back to 1890

Founded over 240 years ago by three Princeton graduates - John McMillan, Thaddeus Dod, and Joseph Smith - Washington & Jefferson College originated in three log cabin schools in Washington, Pennsylvania. This historical foundation underscores the college's commitment to education and its enduring legacy in American higher learning.“The Rassias Method® for foreign language was invented by Dartmouth Professor John Rassias in the 1960s.” Thomas E. Dewey who ran as a U.S. Presidential candidate was from here.

18. Hampden Sydney College

Year of Establishment: 1775
Location: Hampden Sydney, Virginia
Popular Courses: Economics, Biology, Government
Alumni: William H. Cabell, James Madison Taliaferro
Number of Students Enrolled: 950

Hampden-Sydney College is one of only three remaining all-male colleges in the United States, preserving its focus on traditional values and character development

Established over 245 years ago by Presbyterian leaders, Hampden-Sydney College, one of the oldest colleges in the US, has a legacy of over 245 years since its founding in 1775. Established by Samuel Stanhope Smith and Robert Blair, the college was inspired by the ideals of the Scottish Enlightenment and is rooted in a mission to educate honorable men and good citizens. Located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, it remains one of the most prestigious old American colleges, with a strong emphasis on liberal arts education. This historic institution, part of the list of oldest colleges in the US, continues to uphold its traditions of character development and academic excellence. A notable alumnus William H. Cabell served as Virginia’s Governor.

19. University of Georgia

Year of Establishment: 1785
Location: Athens, Georgia
Popular Courses: Veterinary Medicine, Business, Journalism
Alumni: Ryan Seacrest, Alton Brown, Herschel Walker
Number of Students Enrolled: 39,000

UGA is home to the Georgia Bulldogs, whose football program is celebrated for its passionate fan base and multiple national championships, fostering a sense of unity and pride among students and alumni.

The University of Georgia, established in 1785 and now over 240 years old, is one of the oldest colleges in the US. Founded by Abraham Baldwin, it holds the distinction of being the first state-chartered public university in the United States. As a key name among old American universities, UGA has played a significant role in shaping higher education. Known for its contributions to research and its celebrated football traditions, the university continues to stand out as a historic and dynamic institution on the list of old colleges in US. The famous Ryan Seacrest who shaped modern entertainment was from here.

20. Dickinson College

Year of Establishment: 1783
Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Popular Courses: International Studies, Environmental Science, Law
Alumni: James Buchanan, Spencer Fullerton Baird, Roger Brooke Taney
Number of Students Enrolled: 2,400

Dickinson College, founded in 1783, holds the distinction of being the first college chartered in the newly formed United States, symbolizing a commitment to education in a young nation.

Dickinson College, now over 240 years old, was founded in 1783 by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, it stands as a testament to the legacy of old colleges in USA. Renowned for its focus on global education and sustainability, Dickinson is a prominent name among the oldest American colleges. As one of the oldest colleges in the US, its innovative curriculum and commitment to producing socially responsible leaders continue to make it a standout institution in the realm of higher education. A notable alumnus James Buchanan served as the 15th U.S. President

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