The story of America’s universities begins in the colonial era, when the nation’s first colleges were established to educate a privileged few. Institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton trace their roots to the 17th and 18th centuries, founded by colonial elites and religious leaders. These early campuses were more than centers of learning—they were microcosms of the social and economic systems that shaped early America, including slavery and class divisions. Understanding these origins reveals how deeply higher education is intertwined with the country’s earliest hierarchies and economic realities. Learn more about this history.
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