The Oldest Schools in Every U.S. State (Colleges and Universities)

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. ... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” — Thomas Jefferson

Education is an invaluable cornerstone of America’s success; the Founding Fathers heralded education as an American right and believed it was crucial to ensure our freedom. What education did the Founding Fathers have? Several of the founders of the United States attended Harvard, America’s oldest college. John Adams was a Harvard graduate, James Madison was a Princeton graduate, and Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary. To celebrate the spirit of education that has built America, the team at Playground Equipment created a guide to the oldest colleges in the United States:

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That covers the oldest college in every state, many of which have campuses that are both beautiful and rich with history. But what is the oldest school in America of any kind? The oldest school in the United States is the Boston Latin School, established in 1635. To this day, the curriculum continues to follow that of the 18th century Latin school movement, meaning that three to four years of Latin are mandatory for all students. It is also the oldest high school in America and has educated four Harvard University presidents and five signers of the Declaration of Independence!

What about the oldest elementary school in America? That would be the Mather School in Boston, Massachusetts, which was established in 1639. That means it’s an awe-inspiring 382 years old! It started as a one-room schoolhouse and now educates more than 600 students. The oldest schools in America are located in and around Boston, making it the birthplace of schools in the United States.

What Is the Oldest College in America?

The oldest college in America is Harvard University.

When Was Harvard Founded?

Harvard University was established on Sept. 8, 1636, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was named after Puritan minister John Harvard, the first benefactor of the college. He donated half of his estate and his impressive library of more than 400 books to the school.

Is Harvard Older Than America?

Yes! America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, so Harvard does indeed predate America’s establishment. Harvard’s first commencement took place in 1642, when nine students graduated to embark on various political and religious careers. The graduation both celebrated the achievements of the hard-working students and sent a clear message to England that the American colonies were striving for greatness.

Top 10 Oldest Colleges in the United States

1. Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts), established in 1636
2. College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA), established in 1693
3. St. John’s College (Annapolis, Maryland), established in 1696
4. Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut), established in 1701
5. University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), established in 1740
6. University of Delaware (Newark, Delaware), established in 1743
7. Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey), established in 1746
8. Columbia University (New York, New York), established in 1754
9. Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island), 1764
10. Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire), established in 1769

Oldest College in Each State

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Edited by: Ben Thompson