Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University is a private university located in Jacksonville, Florida, in the city’s Arlington district along the St. Johns River. Founded in 1934, it began as a two-year college before expanding into a comprehensive four-year institution. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across fields such as nursing, business, marine science, aviation, engineering, law, and the liberal arts. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Jacksonville University competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Dolphins. Its waterfront campus and professional programs attract students seeking a private university experience in Northeast Florida with strong ties to the local community and regional industries.

Jacksonville University was founded on April 16, 1934, by William J. Porter as a private two-year institution originally known as William J. Porter University. Classes were first held in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, before the school was renamed Jacksonville Junior College in 1935. After World War II, enrollment growth driven by returning veterans led the institution to acquire land in the Arlington area in 1947, where its permanent campus was established. By the mid-1950s, Jacksonville Junior College began expanding into four-year programs, and in 1958 it adopted the name Jacksonville University. The university awarded its first four-year degrees in 1959. Over subsequent decades, Jacksonville University added new academic programs and professional schools, including nursing, business, and law, while maintaining accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Today, Jacksonville University operates as a private comprehensive university serving students from across the United States and abroad.