Oldest Colleges in The US: A Journey Through Time

Have you ever wondered which universities in the United States have stood the test of time? Some of the country’s oldest institutions date back to the 17th century, long before the American Revolution began in 1775. From Harvard University, founded in 1636, to historic institutions that later became members of the prestigious Ivy League, these colleges have played an important role in shaping American higher education.

Today, many of these institutions offer a wide range of academic programmes, attract students from around the world, and maintain strong positions in international university rankings. Their histories also reveal how higher education in the United States has evolved over several centuries. Let’s explore the oldest colleges and universities in the U.S., their founding stories, academic offerings, and the notable people who studied there.

Top Oldest Colleges and Universities in the USA

1. Harvard University

Harvard University was established in 1636 when the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to establish a college in New Towne, now Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1638, the institution received a bequest from Minister John Harvard, whose name it adopted in 1639. Originally created to educate ministers, Harvard gradually expanded its curriculum and became a major centre for higher education and research.

It is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It ranked 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as computer science, economics, government, biology, and political science.

Notable alumni include former US presidents Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and actress Natalie Portman. Harvard’s acceptance rate should be verified using its official admissions statistics for the relevant incoming class before publication.

2. College of William & Mary

The College of William & Mary was established on 8 February 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, following a royal charter issued by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. Originally intended to provide education in divinity, philosophy, languages, and the arts and sciences, it developed into one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Its history also includes establishing an early American law school and introducing elective studies.

For the 2026/27 academic year, relevant subjects to highlight include government, public policy, history, and marine science. Notable alumni include former U.S. presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, who completed their undergraduate studies at William & Mary.

3. St John’s College

St John’s College traces its history to King William’s School, founded in 1696 in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1784, the state of Maryland chartered St John’s College and merged it with the earlier school. The college developed a distinctive educational approach centred on reading and discussing major works of literature, philosophy, mathematics and science, which continues to shape its liberal arts curriculum.

St. John’s College is a liberal arts institution with campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. For the 2026/27 academic year, its Great Books curriculum is particularly relevant to students interested in literature, philosophy, mathematics, history, and the sciences.

Its history includes notable figures associated with early American education, and four of the college’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence. However, these founders should not be described as college graduates.

4. Yale University

Yale University was established in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut, as the Collegiate School. In 1718, it was renamed Yale College in recognition of a major gift from Elihu Yale, a merchant and benefactor. Over the following centuries, Yale expanded its academic offerings and developed into a major research university, adding graduate and professional education alongside its undergraduate programmes.

Yale ranked joint 16th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as Economics, Political Science, History, Computer Science and Psychology, alongside programmes in the arts and sciences. Notable alumni include former US presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and actress Meryl Streep.

5. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Penn, traces its origins to 1740, when Benjamin Franklin and other civic leaders proposed a charitable school project in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The institution developed from this early initiative and received its collegiate charter in 1755. It later became the University of Pennsylvania and grew into a major research university known for combining academic study with practical and professional education.

Penn ranked 15th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as finance, economics, business, nursing, biology and engineering. Its Wharton School is particularly recognised for business and management education.

Notable alumni include entrepreneur Elon Musk, US president Donald Trump and musician John Legend. According to figures announced by Penn’s Dean of Admissions, the university received 72,544 applications for the Class of 2029 and admitted 3,530 applicants, an acceptance rate of approximately 4.9%.

6. Moravian University

Moravian University was founded in 1742 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, beginning as Bethlehem Female Seminary, established by the Moravian community. The institution developed over time through changes in its educational provision and institutional structure, eventually becoming coeducational in 1954. Its history is closely connected with the development of education for women in the United States, and it has since expanded into a university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Moravian is a private university offering programmes across liberal arts, professional studies and other academic fields. It holds a global position in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, relevant subjects to highlight include nursing, psychology, business and education.

7. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware traces its origins to 1743, when educator Francis Alison established a school in New London, Pennsylvania, before it later developed in Newark, Delaware. The institution grew through several stages, becoming Newark College in the nineteenth century and eventually adopting the name University of Delaware. It has since developed into a public research university with a broad range of academic and professional programmes.

For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as chemical engineering, business, biological sciences, environmental science and nursing. Notable alumni include former US president Joe Biden and educator Jill Biden.

8. Columbia University

Columbia University was founded in 1754 in New York City as King’s College, following a royal charter granted by King George II of Great Britain. It was established to provide higher education in the American colonies and later adopted the name Columbia College after the American Revolution. Over time, the institution expanded its academic programmes and research activities, developing into a major university with undergraduate, graduate and professional schools.

Columbia ranked joint 43rd in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as economics, political science, computer science, journalism and engineering.

According to Columbia’s published admissions figures, the university received 59,616 applications and admitted 2,946 students for the Class of 2029, giving an acceptance rate of approximately 4.9%.

9. Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University traces its origins to Augusta Academy, established in 1749 in what is now Virginia. The school later moved to Lexington and became Liberty Hall Academy. In 1796, George Washington made a substantial financial gift to the institution, which was renamed Washington Academy in his honour. It later became Washington and Lee University, reflecting its historical association with George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Today, it is a private liberal arts university.

For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as business administration, accounting, economics, journalism, and politics, which reflect the university’s broad liberal arts and professional education offerings. Notable alumni include journalist and author Tom Wolfe.

10. Brown University

Brown University was established in 1764 in Providence, Rhode Island, originally as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It received its charter during the colonial period and later adopted the name Brown University in 1804 in recognition of a major contribution from Nicholas Brown Jr. The university developed into an Ivy League research institution known for its emphasis on independent learning and its flexible undergraduate curriculum.

Brown ranked 66th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For the 2026/27 academic year, students can explore subjects such as computer science, economics, biology, international relations and English. Its open curriculum gives undergraduates considerable flexibility in shaping their academic studies.

Notable alumni include actress Emma Watson, businessman John D. Rockefeller Jr and economist Janet Yellen. Brown’s official admissions information reports an acceptance rate of 5.6% for the Class of 2030, based on 47,944 applications and 2,687 admitted students.

Choosing the Right University in the US

For prospective international students, choosing a university involves looking beyond its age or reputation. Comparing courses, admission requirements, tuition fees, location and student accommodation can help them find an institution that suits their goals and budget. Whether they want a historic Ivy League university or a college with a distinctive liberal arts curriculum, researching options is an important first step toward studying in the United States.