Picking a college is one of the most critical decisions that every student has to make. It is the beginning of their academic path, which directly impacts future career goals and purposes. As such, students often evaluate a long list of factors before generating their shortlist of proposed universities. These could range from the school’s location and tuition costs to its selectivity and availability of programs. Have a look at our article on “Important Guidelines To Select Your Ideal College.”

Many students consider a universities’ academic reputation as necessary. This is often calculated based on a college’s research strength, the quality of the programs they offer, how many successful professionals they have created over the years, and how much fame they have achieved. 

It takes years for a school to build an outstanding reputation based on the factors mentioned above. As a result, students favor universities with good programs and those with long and incredible histories.

For international students, managing finances while studying abroad is crucial. Explore convenient money transfer options for international students here.

This article will take a deeper look at the oldest colleges in the US, focusing not only on their establishment but also on their location and historical background. Also, the review will include some of the notable graduates from each listed college. With this, students who have yet to select a college may get to know each institution better.

10 Oldest Universities In The US are:

• Harvard University
• The College of William and Mary
• St. John’s College
• Yale University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Moravian College
• University of Delaware
• Princeton University
• Washington and Lee University
• Columbia University

These may be the oldest universities in the US, but they are most certainly not relics. Each of the USA’s oldest colleges is reputed and sought after and continues to offer world-class programs.

The oldest universities in the US are:

1. Harvard University, Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts

This private Ivy League was founded in 1636 and named after its first patron John Harvard. It is the oldest university in the United States. It is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and research and developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference in the world.

The main campus is located along the Charles River, and over 31,000 students study at this prestigious university.

The this oldest university in the US is best known for programs in:

• Social Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences
• History

For more information about the various schools at the oldest university in the US: https://www.harvard.edu/schools

The acceptance rate at the this oldest university in the US hovers around 5.3%. In 2019, it had 43,330 applicants. To be accepted, your high school GPA must be 4.04 on a 4.0 scale, which means you must be an A student. 

Financial Aid for international students is available just like students of the US in scholarship money. 55% of students receive Harvard aid scholarships, and all students can graduate debt-free.

For more information about financial aid at the oldest university in the US: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Barack Obama, Marc Zuckerberg, Al Gore.

For more information about the oldest university in the US: https://www.harvard.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/Harvard

2. The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

Founded in 1693, this is the second oldest college in the US. The Sir Christopher Wren Building on the campus is the oldest college building still standing in the United States. It is one of the eight ‘Public Ivy’ universities, which means that it is assisted by the state and offers excellent education for much less than what an Ivy League school will charge. Close to 9,000 students study at this reputed college.

The this oldest university in the US is best known for programs in:

• Social Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Business
• Management
• Marketing‍

For more information on Majors and Minors offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US: https://www.wm.edu/majorsminors/index.php

The acceptance rate at the oldest college in the United States is around 36%. Your high school GPA should be 2.5 to stand a chance to be accepted.

There are no scholarships or loan funds available at the oldest college in the US.

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Monroe.

For more information on the oldest university in the US: https://www.wm.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/.

3. St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico

This is the third oldest college in the United States and was founded in 1696. Great books and significant discussions are central to how students are becoming thinking and articulate professionals who live boldly, quite naturally. This oldest college in the US is best known for programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences and its Great Books curriculum.

For more information on academic programs offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US: https://www.sjc.edu/academic-programs

The acceptance rate at one of the oldest colleges in the US is around 54%. However, your high school GPA should be 3.4 on a 4.0 scale to stand a chance of being accepted which means you must be an above-average student. 

Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment is available for international students at the US’s oldest college. But, the college can’t meet 100% aid of the demonstrated financial need.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://www.sjc.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/prospective-students/international-students‍

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Salvatore Scibona, Warren Winiarski, Francis Scott Key

For more information about the oldest university in the US: https://www.sjc.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US:  https://www.youtube.com/user/stjohnscollege‍

‍4. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut‍

This is a private Ivy League research university that was established in 1701. Yale is committed to improving the world today and for future generations through outstanding research and scholarship, education, preservation, and practice. Close to 13,500 students study at Yale – there were more women students than men in 2019. The campus is spread over 260 acres that include 500 acres of athletic facilities and the Yale Golf Course.

The this oldest university in the US is best known for majors in:

• Social Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• History
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Engineering‍

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US:  https://www.yale.edu/academics

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the United States is around 6.5%. In 2019, it had close to 37,000 applicants. Your high school GPA must be 4.13, and if it is any less, it will have to be compensated with an even higher SAT/ACT score to be accepted. 

International students are as eligible as US students for financial aid that are need-based and need-blind at the oldest university in the US.

Need-blind means that the university admits students who show promise, regardless of their ability to pay for their education.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://admissions.yale.edu/are-international-students-eligible-financial-aid-if-so-how-do-i-apply

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: George H.W. Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Meryl Streep.

For more information about the oldest university in the US: https://www.yale.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/YaleCourses

5. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

This is a private Ivy League university that was established in 1740. It has a long and memorable tradition of intellectual rigor and a quest for modern knowledge.

It is reputed for allowing interdisciplinary education, which means a student can pursue many joint degree programs from any of the Penn schools – it has a ‘One University Policy.’ The University boasts of 4,722 faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 6:1 and currently has 4,859 international students on a campus spread over 299 acres in an urban setting.

The this oldest university in the US is best known for majors in:

• Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Social Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Engineering
• Health‍

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US:  https://www.upenn.edu/programs

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the US is around 7.7%. In 2019, it had close to 44,961 applicants, and 3,446 were offered admission. With a high school GPA score of 3.9, you can stand a good chance of being accepted.

Need-based aid is available for international students. The university offers a grant-based package for eight semesters/four years to students with demonstrated financial need.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://admissions.upenn.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/cost-and-financial-aid/financial-aid-international-students

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: William Henry Harrison, Noam Chomsky, Elon Musk.

For more information on the oldest university in the US: https://www.upenn.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh9CRHu8yD0

6. Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

This private institution is the sixth-oldest college in the United States. Moravians believed that education should be eye-opening, heart racing, game-changing, and fun, established in 1742. It was a trend-setter by being was the first college to educate women. In 2019, 3446 students studied at the two campuses of this university.

This oldest university of the US is best known for programs in:

• Health Professions and Related Programs
• Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US: https://www.moravian.edu/academics

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest college in the United States is around 73%. The college accepts students who are average in high school with an average GPA of 3.54.

99% of students receive financial aid in some or the other. The college offers over $40 million each year in merit and need-based grants and scholarships. The college is further assisted in financial aid funding by alumni who donate abundantly.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://www.moravian.edu/admissions/applying-for-financial-aid

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: John Andretti, David Zinczenko, John B.Callahan.

For more information about the oldest university in the US: https://www.moravian.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/MoravianCollegeTube

7. University of Delaware

It is a public research university established in 1743 and is considered in the top-50 list of best colleges in the US. The alumni of this prestigious university bear testimony to the quality of education offered here. The alumni include three signers of the Declaration of Independence, a signer of the Constitution, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, a Tony Award-winning choreographer, and the former vice president of the United States.

This oldest university of the US is best known for majors in:

• Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Social Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Engineering
• Health Professions and Related Programs

https://www.udel.edu/academics/

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the United States is around 62%. With a high school GPA of 3.5, your chances of getting accepted will be good.

International students are eligible for all scholarships. The university awards $5,000-$18,000 annually, and you must maintain a 3.0 GPA to qualify for this aid.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://www.udel.edu/students/student-financial-services/international-students/

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Joe Biden, Chris Christie, Joe Flacco.

For more information on the oldest university in the US: https://www.udel.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/UnivDelaware.

8. Princeton University, New Jersey

While Princeton is one of the oldest universities in the United States, it is also one of the ‘Big Three’ Ivy League schools. The University is spread over 500 acres and is about an hour’s drive from New York City and Philadelphia. About 8213 students study at this vibrant university where learning aims to be of service to the nation and humanity. Generally, Princetonians make a difference to society. The faculty comprises world-renowned scholars who inspire the students to become responsible thinkers.

This oldest university of the US is best known for majors in:

• Social Sciences
• Engineering
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Public Administration
• Social Service Professions‍

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US:  https://www.princeton.edu/academics

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the US is around 7%. You must be extremely good with a high school GPA of 3.87 on a 4.0 scale to be accepted.

Need-based aid is available for international students just as it is for students of the US. All financial aid is need-based, and Princeton doesn’t offer any academic or athletic merit scholarships.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://www.princeton.edu/admission-aid/international-students

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Jeff Bezos, Woodrow Wilson, Michelle Obama.

For more information about the oldest university in the US: https://www.princeton.edu/

Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/princetonuniversity

9. Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia

This private liberal arts university was established in 1749 and are the ninth oldest university in the United States. As one of the oldest universities in the US, WLU believes in educating students to become well-rounded individuals who are intellectually enquiring and committed to their communities. WLU has 2160 students on its picturesque 325-acre campus that are nestled in the mountains of western Virginia. The campus has a lot of National History Landmark-designated architecture which further adds to the grandeur.

This oldest university of the US is best known for majors in:

• Business Administration and Management
• Economics
• Accounting and Business/Management
• Political Science and Government
• Mathematics

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US:  https://www.wlu.edu/academics/

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the United States is around 21%. You must be a class topper with fantastic grades and a high school GPA of 3.87 on a 4.0 scale to be accepted.

Need-based grants are available for international students, and the university gives them for all four years of study. You will need to provide documentation as proof of financial need only in the first year, but you will be eligible for the grant only if you have applied for it from the first year.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://my.wlu.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/aid-for-international-students

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Kaylee Hartung, Kelly Evans, Marc Short.

For more information on the oldest university in the US: https://www.wlu.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/wlunews

10. Columbia University, New York

This university was founded in 1754 as King’s College by King George II of England’s royal charter and is the tenth-oldest university in the US. It is a private research Ivy League university nestled across 32 acres in New York City. It offers students an academic environment who thrive in small classes. Generally, there are less than 20 students in 80% of the undergraduate courses at Columbia.

This oldest university of the US is best known for majors in:

• Social Sciences
• Engineering
• Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Psychology‍

For more information on academics offered at one of the oldest colleges in the US: https://www.columbia.edu/content/academics

The overall acceptance rate at the oldest university in the US is around 6.1%. You must be a class topper and extremely good with a high school GPA of 4.13 to be accepted.

100% need-based financial aid is given to all students – US and foreign. The assistance is guaranteed for all four years with demonstrated financial need. This is mainly because the university believes that the cost shouldn’t be the hurdle to pursue quality education.

For more information about financial aid at one of the oldest university in the US: https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/intl_fa

Notable alumni of the oldest university in the US: Warren Buffet, Art Garfunkel, Isaac Asimov.

For more information on the oldest university in the US: https://www.columbia.edu/

Watch a video of the oldest university in the US: https://www.youtube.com/user/columbiauniversity