When people choose a university for their education, they consider various things like where it’s located, how prestigious it is, the quality of education, job placement, and more. The wealth of a university plays a big role because it means better facilities, professors, and technology for students. Universities with more money can also offer scholarships and attract top educators.
Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 richest universities in the world based on their financial endowments:
Harvard University:
This university in Massachusetts is super rich, with an endowment of $40.9 billion. It was founded in 1636 and got its name from a guy named John Harvard, who gave them some money and books. But in 2014, Kenneth C. Griffith, a Harvard alum and Citadel founder, donated a whopping $150 million, making him the biggest donor in the school’s history.
Yale University
In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale is the second richest university with $31.11 billion. It started back in 1701 and is known for its law, arts, medicine, management, and nursing schools. Yale is also great at managing its money, and in 2013, Charles B. Johnson, an alum, gave them $250 million, the largest donation ever.
| University | Location | Endowment (in billions) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | $40.9 |
| Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | $31.11 |
| University of Texas System | Austin, Texas | $30.1 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, California | $28.9 |
| Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | $26.6 |
| University of California | Oakland, California | $21.1 |
| King Abdullah University of Science & Tech. | Thuwal, Saudi Arabia | $20 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts | $18.38 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $14.88 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois | $14 |
University of Texas System
Located in Austin, Texas, this university system is the third richest, with $30.1 billion. It was established in 1883. People like Bill and Melinda Gates, the Moody Foundation, and others have given big bucks to fund things like computer science and new media.
Stanford University
Over in Stanford, California, this university is the fourth richest, with $28.9 billion. It was founded in 1891 and is considered one of the best in the world. Fredrick Terman, who graduated from here, played a big role in Silicon Valley’s success. Stanford also set a record in 2012 by raising $1.035 billion in donations. Big names like the Hewlett Foundation and Philip H. Knight have been generous too.
Princeton University:
In Princeton, New Jersey, this is the fifth richest university, with $26.6 billion. It’s one of the oldest schools globally, dating back to 1746. Some famous folks like Meg Whitman, Jeff Bezos, and others have given millions of dollars to Princeton, funding things like art and Persian Gulf studies.
University of California:
This university, with an endowment of $21.1 billion, is in Oakland, California. It was founded in 1868 and has ten campuses in California. Big donations have come from the likes of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, BP, Dow Chemical Co., and others.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST):
Located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, this is the seventh richest university, with $20 billion. It’s pretty new, established in 2009, and it’s known for its international courses and commitment to being environmentally friendly.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT is the eighth richest university, with $18.38 billion. It was founded in 1861 and is famous for its computer education. Some anonymous person named Mr. Smith turned out to be George Eastman, the Kodak founder, who gave them $20 million. They’ve also got a school named after F.W. Olin, who donated around $460 million.
University of Pennsylvania:
This university, with $14.88 billion, is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It started in 1740 and went through a few name changes. In 2010, the private sector chipped in $400 million. They’ve got the Wharton School, thanks to Joseph Wharton, and the University of Medicine, named after Raymond and Ruth Perelman.
Northwestern University:
In Evanston, Illinois, this is the tenth richest university, with $14 billion. It was established in 1851 and has campuses in Illinois and Chicago. The Feinberg School of Medicine got its name from a $75 million donation by the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation in 2002. In 2013, Northwestern’s Innovation and New Ventures Office made almost $80 million.
These universities are swimming in money, and that wealth helps them provide top-notch education and opportunities to their students.
