Princeton University was founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, under the name College of New Jersey.

Quick Scoop

  • Year founded: 1746.
  • Original name: College of New Jersey.
  • Original location: Elizabeth, New Jersey.
  • It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

Over time, the college moved from Elizabeth to Newark, then settled in Princeton in 1756, where Nassau Hall became its iconic early building. In 1896, it officially changed its name from the College of New Jersey to Princeton University, reflecting its growth into a major research institution.

Today, when people ask “when was Princeton University founded,” they’re referring to that 1746 charter date in colonial New Jersey, long before the United States itself was formed.

TL;DR: Princeton University traces its origins to 1746, when it was founded in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey; it later moved to Princeton and adopted the name Princeton University in 1896.

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