Huntington University

Huntington University is a private Christian university located in Huntington, Indiana. Affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of liberal arts and professional fields. Academic areas include business, education, the sciences, ministry, counseling, and occupational therapy, along with programs in film and animation offered at additional campus locations. Huntington University maintains a residential campus environment and competes in NAIA athletics as the Foresters. Students who are drawn to faith-based education, smaller class settings, and a community-oriented campus often choose Huntington University for its integration of Christian faith and academic study.

Huntington University was founded in 1897 in Huntington, Indiana, originally under the name Central College. Established by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ after the closure of Hartsville College, the institution began as a coeducational liberal arts college. In 1917, Central College was renamed Huntington College, reflecting its growing identity within the region. During the early twentieth century, Huntington University expanded its academic programs and strengthened teacher education, though enrollment challenges emerged during the Great Depression and World War II. Postwar growth, supported by the G.I. Bill, contributed to increased enrollment and institutional stability. The college achieved regional accreditation in 1961 and continued developing its academic offerings. In 2005, Huntington College officially became Huntington University, marking an expanded commitment to graduate education and new professional programs, including occupational therapy and business, while maintaining its Christian liberal arts foundation in Indiana.