Suffolk University

Suffolk University is a private university located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1906, it began as a law school and has grown into a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, the Sawyer Business School, and Suffolk University Law School. The university is known for its focus on professional education, public service, and experiential learning opportunities connected to its urban setting. Its Boston location provides students access to government institutions, courts, financial centers, and nonprofit organizations. Suffolk University attracts students interested in law, business, politics, public service, and the liberal arts within a city-based academic environment.

Suffolk University was founded in 1906 in Boston, Massachusetts, by attorney Gleason Archer Sr. as Archer’s Evening Law School, created to serve working students seeking legal education. In 1907, it was renamed Suffolk School of Law after moving to downtown Boston. As enrollment grew, Suffolk expanded beyond legal studies. In 1934, the Suffolk College of Arts and Sciences was established, followed by the College of Business Administration in 1937, marking the formal evolution of Suffolk University into a comprehensive institution. Archer served as president until 1948, guiding its early development. During the late twentieth century, Suffolk University expanded its academic offerings and facilities, including the development of residence halls in the 1990s. Over time, Suffolk University strengthened its professional programs and urban mission, shaping its identity as a Boston-based private university with strong ties to law, government, and business.