The oldest college in every state

Harvard University is the oldest college in the entire country — it dates back to 1636. Bloomberg/Getty Images The oldest colleges in each US state are among the most prestigious academic institutions. The oldest college in the United States is Harvard University, founded in 1636. Meanwhile, the most recent state to get a college for the first time is Alaska. Some of the United States' colleges are older than America itself — the oldest, Harvard University, was founded in 1636. Meanwhile, other states took longer to open their first colleges. The most recent state to get its first college is Alaska, whose University of Alaska Fairbanks celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. From Ivy League powerhouses to flagship public universities and lesser-known institutions with centuries of history, the oldest college in each state reflects a different chapter of American higher education.