Have you ever wondered what the very first colleges in America looked like? Or what it might feel like to walk the same halls as students did centuries ago? If you’re a history buff or just curious about how higher education got its start in the US, you’re in for a treat. In this blog, we’re diving into the oldest colleges in the US—schools that have seen revolutions, reforms, and remarkable transformations over the years.
- What Are the Oldest Colleges in the US?
- How to Get into the Oldest Colleges in the US
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the Oldest Colleges in the US?
So, what exactly are the oldest colleges in the U.S.? According to U.S. News & World Report, these schools have been around the longest and continue to shape minds today:
1. Harvard University
Acceptance rate: 3.6%
Average tuition cost: $56,550
Year established: 1636
If you ever wanted to say, “I go to the oldest college in the United States,” well, this is it. Harvard is as historic and it is iconic. You’re walking the same grounds where John Adams, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Natalie Portman once studied (yep, quite the range). Harvard’s liberal arts core is strong, but you’ll also find powerhouse programs in government, economics, computer science, and biology.
Fun fact? The Widener Library was built in memory of a Titanic victim—Harry Elkins Widener, a Harvard alum whose mother donated the funds. Harvard’s got a secret society vibe too, with final clubs and traditions dating back centuries. Even their professors are legendary—think Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Steven Pinker. It’s basically like stepping into an Ivy League time machine… with Wi-Fi.
2. College of William & Mary
Acceptance rate: 33%
Average tuition cost: $18,709 (in-state)
Year established: 1693
If Harvard’s the oldest, William & Mary is the most royal. Literally. This college was chartered by King William III and Queen Mary II. And get this—you could be taking classes in the Wren Building, the oldest college building still in use in the U.S. It’s like Hogwarts, but in Virginia.
William & Mary is known for its strong programs in history, government, and international relations—perfect for future diplomats and policy makers. It also has the country’s first law school, so if you’re law-minded, this place is historic and practical.
Famous alumni? Three U.S. presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. And don’t forget Jon Stewart studied here before conquering late-night TV.
3. St. John’s College
Acceptance rate: 44%
Average tuition cost: $40,936
Year established: 1696
This one’s for the philosophers and deep thinkers. If you ever wanted to read the Great Books from cover to cover—Plato to Einstein—St. John’s is your dream school. You won’t find traditional majors here. Instead, everyone studies the same interdisciplinary curriculum built around discussion and critical thinking.
What’s cool is you get to read original texts—no textbooks—and learn ancient Greek and French along the way. The school is tiny, intimate, and intense in the best way possible. Professors are called “tutors,” and your classmates become your intellectual family.
It’s not for everyone, but if you love asking “why?” more than “what’s on the test?”, St. John’s might just be your intellectual home.
4. Yale University
Acceptance rate: 3.7%
Average tuition cost: $67,250
Year established: 1701
Yale is where tradition meets creativity in a big way. As one of the oldest colleges in the US, it’s got the Gothic towers, secret societies, and academic prestige you’d expect from an Ivy—but it’s also known for its thriving arts scene and flexible curriculum.
You could major in political science and spend your weekends performing in student theater. Or you might dive into astrophysics by day and write for The Yale Daily News by night. The residential college system gives Yale a close-knit vibe, and professors like Akhil Amar (constitutional law) and Paul Bloom (psychology) make class as engaging as any Netflix series.
Famous alums? Let’s just say George H.W. Bush, Jodie Foster, and Lupita Nyong’o all got their start here. And if you’re into history with a side of drama, check out Yale’s secret societies like the infamous Skull and Bones society—it’s been around since 1832 and still keeps people guessing.
5. University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate: 5.4%
Average tuition cost: $63,204
Year established: 1740
Ben Franklin wanted a college that prepared people for real life—not just the clergy. So, of course, he helped found UPenn. It’s got that perfect mix of liberal arts and pre-professional energy. You can major in English and finance, philosophy and data science. And don’t even get us started on Wharton—their business school is elite-level.
UPenn is super interdisciplinary, and you’re encouraged to blend interests across the four undergraduate schools. Want to combine design and computer science? Or maybe nursing and sociology? You can do that here.
It’s also home to alums like Elon Musk, John Legend, and Noam Chomsky (though Chomsky later became more famous at MIT). If you like big-city vibes with big ideas, UPenn’s where it’s at.
6. Moravian University
Acceptance rate: 54%
Average tuition cost: $26,560 (per semester)
Year established: 1742
You might not hear Moravian’s name as often as the Ivies, but don’t let that fool you—this hidden gem is one of the oldest colleges in the US, and it’s got a seriously rich history. Founded by a group of Moravian settlers (yep, the school is older than the country itself), it was the first college to educate both men and women. Pretty progressive for 1742, right?
If you’re into health sciences, music, or education, Moravian’s programs are top-notch. Their nursing and occupational therapy tracks are especially strong. Bonus: you get your own MacBook and iPad as part of your tuition package—tech and tradition in one go.
Fun fact? The Moravian Book Shop near campus is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world. So if you like your history with coffee and indie lit, you’re in good company.
7. University of Delaware
Acceptance rate: 64%
Average tuition cost: $14,600 (in-state)
Year established: 1743
You probably didn’t know that one of the oldest colleges in the US is also the first school to open as an “academy” for clergy training—but UD has come a long way since then. Today, it’s a major research university with a friendly, spirited vibe and a strong emphasis on innovation.
Chemical engineering is one of its powerhouse programs. Seriously, they’re ranked among the best in the country. But you can also thrive in business, education, or environmental science. President Joe Biden is probably the most well-known alum (and yes, you’ll find “Biden Institute” signs around campus). You’ll also be learning from award-winning faculty who are active in everything from AI to global policy.
And if you’re into traditions, don’t miss the annual “UDance” marathon. It’s a massive campus-wide event that raises millions for pediatric cancer research.
8. Princeton University
Acceptance rate: 4.6%
Average tuition cost: $65,210
Year established: 1746
Among the oldest colleges in the US, Princeton integrates old-world charm with academic prestige like few others can. Cobblestone walkways, majestic ivy-covered halls, and yeah, one of the best undergraduate programs on the planet, which is Social Sciences. Princeton is also known for its liberal arts programs.
Here, the focus is deeply academic, but also personal—you’ll be writing a senior thesis no matter your major, working closely with professors who are leaders in their fields. Want to study public policy, computer science, philosophy, or astrophysics? You’re in the right place.
Notable alums include Michelle Obama, Alan Turing (honorary), and Jeff Bezos. Fun fact: Albert Einstein lived in Princeton and worked at the Institute for Advanced Study just outside campus. You might not bump into him these days, but the intellectual legacy is alive and well.
9. Washington and Lee University
Acceptance rate: 17%
Average tuition cost: $66,800
Year established: 1749
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, Washington and Lee is one of the oldest colleges in the US, and it feels like a slice of history preserved in time. Originally called Augusta Academy, it was renamed after George Washington (who gave a major donation) and later, Robert E. Lee (who served as president of the college after the Civil War).
Today, W&L is known for its tight-knit community and strong liberal arts curriculum, especially in journalism, law, and politics. If you’re looking for small class sizes, personalized attention, and an honor system so serious that exams are self-scheduled, this might be your spot.
Fun fact: W&L Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country, and students even run their own law review. Past grads include Supreme Court justices Joseph Rucker Lamar and Lewis Powell Jr., as well as US senator Paul S. Trible, who first served as a Congressman from Virginia.
10. Columbia University
Acceptance rate: 3.85%
Average tuition cost: $71,170
Year established: 1754
You want history? Columbia’s got it in spades. It was originally named King’s College and counts Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton among its earliest students. Fast forward to today, and it’s a fast-paced Ivy League school smack in the middle of Manhattan.
Columbia is famous for its Core Curriculum—yes, everyone takes the same classics-heavy courses, from literature and philosophy to art history. It’s an academic boot camp, but it builds incredible thinkers. Want to go pre-med? Try economics? Study film at one of the top grad schools for it in the world? You can do all that here.
You’re also in the heart of NYC, meaning access to endless internships, museums, events, and bagels. And if you’re a pop culture aficionado: Barack Obama, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Mindy Kaling all went here.
How to Get into the Oldest Colleges in the US
To get into the oldest colleges in the US, like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, you’re diving into some serious history and prestige. Here are your top strategies:
1. Nail your academics—they’re non-negotiable.
To even get in the running, you’ll need grades and scores that compete at the national level.
Some stats to know:
- Harvard’s average GPA for admitted students is around 4.18 (weighted).
- Yale’s middle 50% SAT range is 1500–1560, and ACT is 33–35.
- UPenn’s acceptance rate in 2024 was 5.8%—meaning over 94% of applicants were rejected.
Translation: You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to be exceptional. Rigorous courses like AP, IB, and honors classes show you’re college-ready.
2. Go deep with your extracurriculars (don’t just go wide).
Top colleges want to see leadership and impact, not a laundry list of clubs.
The Common Data Set (CDS) from Princeton shows that “extracurricular activities” and “talent/ability” are rated as “very important” in the admissions process. And at Yale, they look for what they call “angular” students—applicants with a spike in a specific area like research, athletics, or the arts.
So pick something you’re passionate about and run with it. Win awards, lead initiatives, or make measurable change. You’re not just joining—you’re building something.
3. Crush your essay—it’s your human moment.
Your personal statement isn’t just about being a good writer—it’s about showing who you are beyond the numbers.
According to a 2023 NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) report, college essays were rated as having “considerable importance” by over 19% of surveyed colleges.
Use your college essay to explain:
- Why you’re a perfect fit for a school with a 300+ year legacy.
- What motivates you to contribute to a community that has shaped U.S. history.
- What you’ll add that they don’t already have.
4. Get strong recommendations from the right people.
Recommendations are a big deal—especially when applying to the oldest colleges in the US, where faculty take character and academic potential seriously.
Columbia’s CDS ranks teacher recommendations as “very important.” Same goes for Princeton and Yale.
Pro tip: Ask teachers who know you personally, not just the ones who gave you an A.
5. Research each college’s unique culture (and show it).
Don’t just say “Harvard has great professors”—everyone knows that. Instead, say how the Harvard’s Social Studies program combines political theory, economics, and history in a way that matches your goal of becoming a policy advisor. A study by Inside Higher Ed revealed that schools place growing emphasis on “institutional fit,” especially with ultra-selective colleges.
Pro move: Mention traditions or historical milestones that show you’ve done your homework—like Yale’s secret societies, Princeton’s eating clubs, or Columbia’s Core Curriculum.
6. Demonstrated interest still counts (even when they say it doesn’t).
Even if a college says they don’t track interest, it doesn’t hurt to demonstrate interest—and for some of the oldest colleges in the US, showing up on their radar matters.
According to the 2023 NACAC report, demonstrated interest was “moderately important” at many selective colleges. What you can do:
- Visit campus or attend a virtual tour
- Email admissions with thoughtful questions
- Follow and engage with official college social media
7. Make your application unforgettable.
When tens of thousands of students apply with perfect stats, your unique story becomes your edge. These prestigious schools seek students who will be active citizens and leaders in today’s complex world. They value curiosity, diversity of perspectives, and a commitment to service.
That means they’re looking for impactful individuals, not cookie-cutter perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the oldest college in the United States?
The oldest college in the United States is Harvard University, founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2. Are all the oldest colleges in the U.S. part of the Ivy League?
No, while several of the oldest colleges are Ivy League institutions, there are also non-Ivy institutions on the list, such as the College of William and Mary and Moravian College.
3. Why do older colleges have such a strong reputation?
Older colleges have built their reputations over centuries through consistent academic excellence, notable alumni, historical significance, and contributions to various fields of study.
Takeaways
- Exploring the oldest colleges in the US is like stepping into a living history book. These institutions didn’t just witness the birth of a nation; they helped shape it.
- Some of the oldest colleges in the US are Harvard, William & Mary, St. John’s College, Yale, and UPenn.
- If you’re aiming to enter any of the oldest colleges in the US, our college admissions experts can help you craft a standout application tailored to your dream school.
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