Auburn University

Auburn University is a public land-grant research university located in Auburn, Alabama. Founded in 1856, it is one of Alabama’s two flagship public universities and part of the Auburn University System. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across disciplines including engineering, business, agriculture, architecture, education, and the sciences. Auburn is classified among institutions with very high research activity and serves students from across the United States and internationally. Its land-grant mission emphasizes teaching, research, and extension services, attracting students interested in applied learning, community engagement, and research-driven academic programs.

Auburn University was founded in 1856 as East Alabama Male College in Auburn, Alabama, under a charter from the Alabama Legislature. Affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, the institution opened in 1859 and was led by its first president, Reverend William J. Sasnett. During the Civil War, the campus temporarily closed as students and faculty joined the Confederate Army. In 1872, Auburn became Alabama’s first land-grant institution under the Morrill Act and was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. It adopted the name Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1899 and expanded its academic offerings beyond agriculture and engineering. In 1960, the institution officially became Auburn University, reflecting its broader mission and growing research profile. Over time, Auburn University developed into a comprehensive public research university serving the state and region.