The History of Higher Education in the United States

Harvard University was founded in 1636 and is the oldest college in the United States.

The Morrill Act of 1862 was a landmark piece of legislation that established land-grant colleges in the United States. These colleges were created to provide practical education in agriculture and mechanical arts.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1837 and is the oldest African American college in the United States.

The GI Bill of 1944 was a landmark piece of legislation that provided educational benefits to veterans of World War II. This bill helped to make higher education more accessible to millions of Americans.

Oberlin College was the first university in the United States to admit women. It began admitting women in 1833.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision helped to pave the way for the desegregation of schools in the United States.

Fisk University was the first historically black college to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It received accreditation in 1930.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that provided federal funding for higher education. This bill helped to make higher education more accessible to millions of Americans.

Yale University was the first university in the United States to offer a Ph.D. degree. It began offering the degree in 1861.

The Pell Grant program is a federal program that provides grants to low-income students to help them pay for college. The program was created in 1972.

Mount Holyoke College was the first university in the United States to be founded by a woman. It was founded in 1837 by Mary Lyon.

The Higher Education Amendments of 1972 was a landmark piece of legislation that expanded the Pell Grant program and created the National Student Loan Bank, the College Work-Study program, and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was the first university in the United States to be founded by African Americans. It was founded in 1837 by Richard Humphreys.

The Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) was an organization that bought and sold student loans. It was created in 1972.

Bacone College was the first university in the United States to be founded by Native Americans. It was founded in 1880 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society.