What would you think about colleges with the largest endowments? With most financial assets, these institutions have more opportunities to develop themselves. For example, colleges with the biggest endowments are more accessible to unparalleled resources, such as cutting-edge research facilities. They can provide comprehensive scholarship programs for eligible students. While accepting high-quality education, students at these colleges are also experiencing a vibrant campus life. If you are interested in what are the colleges with the largest endowments, keep reading and we will show you the most comprehensive information about them.
What are University Endowments?
University endowments are financial assets that higher educational institutions collect to support their long-term mission and maintain operational stability.
It takes two forms: donations and investments. The donors are usually alumni, corporations, foundations, and others. Alumni are the most significant donors of university endowments. The typical donation forms are cash, securities, real estate and bequests.
The funds for the most prestigious universities may be billions of dollars, which can be used for:
- Student scholarships
- Faculty salaries
- Research initiatives
- Campus maintenance
- Academic programs
How to allocate university endowments varies from institution to institution, which depends on the colleges’ needs and the restrictions placed on specific endowments.
Universities with the Largest Endowments
The amount of university endowments is a standard for measuring an institution’s financial health. The more financial assets colleges have, the more stable they are in maintaining their operations. Below are the top 15 colleges with the largest endowments.
1. Harvard University
Endowment: $49.44 billion
Harvard University is the richest university in the world, with endowments exceeding $40 billion. Founded in 1636, Harvard University has produced countless outstanding people. Many billionaires are its alumni and have donated more than $300 million to finance the institution in student scholarships and scientific research. In addition, Harvard launched its financial aid program in 2004. Since the inception of the aid program, Harvard has provided more than $3 billion in grants to undergraduate students through 2023.
2. Yale University
Endowment: $41.28 billion
“Wherever you go, whatever country you live in, they will write to you and squeeze every penny you earn.” CNN host Anderson Cooper quipped Yale University in a 2006 commencement addressment. The mature alumni endowment system allows Yale to provide full scholarships to many outstanding students. When they succeed in their careers, they will be returned to Yale, making it one of the highest endowment colleges.
3. Stanford University
Endowment: $37.8 billion
Stanford University is an American private institution founded in 1885. With an endowment surpassing $30 billion, Stanford University is one of the universities with largest endowments. The university has generous financial aid packages for its students. Furthermore, the funds also support the maintenance of the campus facilities, academic research, athletic programs, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
4. Princeton University
Endowment: $35.79 billion
Princeton University is famous for its rigorous academics and beautiful campus, and it stands as one of the most prestigious institutions in higher education. It is one of the richest colleges in the US. At a time when other universities still needed to raise funds from third parties, Princeton University became the first university in the world to have the ability to achieve wealth freedom, covering all expenses solely from the operating returns of the current endowment. The school’s alumni donation rate is 47.8%, ranking first in the United States.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Endowment: $24.74 billion
Only a Bachelor’s Degree in Science is granted, making it a paradise for students interested in majors in science and engineering. The highest university endowment allows MIT to provide scholarships and financial aid programs for its students and faculty from different cultures, which encourages them to work hard in their own fields at the same time. Somebody said that students at MIT can only choose two things among study, social and sleep.
6. University of Pennsylvania
Endowment: $20.72 billion
Many people may think of the Wharton Business School when discussing the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Penn has the best gym in Pennsylvania, produces the second-most billionaires in the world, and hosts the largest campus carnival on the East Coast. Penn is also one of the biggest university endowments in the United States, with an annual research budget of more than $1 billion.
7. University of Notre Dame
Endowment: $16.73 billion
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university. Since 1999, the University of Notre Dame has received the most grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. As one of the universities with the highest endowments, It has been selected as the most innovative university in the United States for seven consecutive years, and its scientific research level is world-renowned. As a representative of the elite university with a small class system, its teacher-student ratio reaches 1:10, and 90% of the classes have fewer than 50 students.
8. Northwestern University
Endowment: $14.12 billion
Founded in 1851 by Mr. John Evans, Northwestern University is a private research university. The official mascot is “Willie the Wildcat.” Its main campus is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the suburbs of Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago, the third largest city in the United States. The School of Journalism, Business, Law, and Medical School are located in downtown Chicago. Northwestern University has several research centres and is one of the highest endowments colleges.
9. Columbia University
Endowment: $13.28 billion
Columbia University is an Ivy League school located in Morningside Heights, Upper Manhattan, New York. Its geographical advantages allow it to undertake many scientific research projects, which can benefit its students. The university pays great attention to developing social resources for its alumni. Nearly 100,000 alumni from various social and government organizations around the world donate a large amount of materials and funds to Columbia University every year to promote the development of teaching and research.
10. Washington University in St. Louis
Endowment: $12.25 billion
WUSTL has three features. The first one is the beautiful campus. Scattered European classical buildings and modern teaching buildings make the campus more attractive. The second one is satisfying dining halls. It has seven dining halls offering cuisines from different countries and regions. The third one is the fantastic accommodation with fully equipped facilities. However, if you do prefer student housing near the university for more freedom and convenience, you can find a reliable party, such as uhomes, to help you find satisfying apartments.
11. Duke University
Endowment: $12.11 billion
After tobacco tycoon Washington Duke’s donation, his son James Duke gave a $40 million endowment to support the institution’s operation in 1924. In gratitude for the kindness of the Duke family, the school name was changed to Duke University. Until now, this university is still one of the colleges with the largest endowments. With the effective use of university endowment, it has been one of the top universities in the world today.
12. University of Chicago
Endowment: $10.3 billion
Founded in 1890 by oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago is known for producing Nobel Prize winners. About 40% of Nobel Prize winners in economics are associated with the University of Chicago. Since its establishment, the University of Chicago has made outstanding contributions to the world academic community, thus enjoying a worldwide reputation. With the largest university endowments, The University also has 12 research institutes, 113 research centres, and one of the world’s largest and richest collections of libraries.
13. Vanderbilt University
Endowment: $10.21 billion
Vanderbilt University is considered the happiest university in the United States for students. It has one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. Moreover, it is one of the universities with the highest endowments. It’s also generous with its students, offering many scholarships, grants, and subsidized internships. The Princeton Review ranks it as the top university for student aid.
14. Emory University
Endowment: $9.99 billion
Emory University is mostly built in marble Italian classical-style buildings. Large forests of pines, maples, and magnolias cover the campus, making people feel like they are in Southern Europe. Its campus is very beautiful all year round, with a national nature reserve. Emory University has produced many famous alumni, such as Asa Candler, the father of Coca-Cola. Three-quarters of students receive financial aid in this one of the universities with the largest endowments
15. Cornell University
Endowment: $9.84 billion
Cornell University is a research university with rich academic resources, a large library collection and advanced facilities. It is also one of the richest universities in the US. With the support of the National Science Foundation, the federal government, the State of New York, and IBM, Cornell University Theoretical Research Center has the largest supercomputer in the United States, engaged in science and engineering technology calculation and simulation research. It’s challenging for some students to be admitted to this Ivy League School due to its low acceptance rate.
Conclusion
This blog introduces university endowments and delves into the 15 colleges with the largest endowments in the US, exploring how these financial assets enhance the student experience and promote academic success. With large amounts of financial funds, these institutions develop themselves in academic research and facility maintenance much faster. While benefiting from donors like alumni, they offer higher-quality higher education for students.
FAQ
What colleges have the largest endowments?
Below are the top 5 colleges with the largest endowments.
- Harvard University(Endowment: $49.44 billion)
- Yale University(Endowment: $41.28 billion)
- Stanford University(Endowment: $37.8 billion)
- Princeton University(Endowment: $35.79 billion)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology(Endowment: $24.74 billion)
What is the Notre Dame's endowment?
$18.9 billion.
The University of Notre Dame’s endowment was $18.9 billion at the end of the 2023 fiscal year.
Which university has the largest endowment?
Harvard University.
Harvard University has the biggest university endowments in the world, with endowments of 49.44 billion. Many alumni have donated more than $300 million to finance the institution in student scholarships and scientific research.
