Where did every U.S. president go to college?

Key takeaways

• Harvard University has educated 8 U.S. presidents – the most of any other college or university.
• 8 presidents never attended college, however, 12 never earned a college degree.
• Most modern presidents earned a bachelor’s degree; some went on to earn advanced degrees in law or business.
• Some presidents attended multiple schools. Others gained leadership experience outside of formal education, like military service or self-study.

The history of the United States is closely tied to its presidents. Since 1789, 45 people have held the office, serving a total of 47 presidencies. This is because two individuals, Grover Cleveland and Donald J. Trump, served non-consecutive terms (and are thus counted twice).

Presidents have come from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Some attended Ivy League schools, others went to public universities, and some never went to college at all.

From law degrees to military academies, and even self-taught leaders, the paths to the Oval Office have been very different. Here is a look at where every U.S. president went to college and the education that helped shape America’s leaders.

Where did each U.S. president go to college?

U.S. presidents have gone to many different schools, and some didn’t go to college at all. Take a look at where they went to school and how their education helped shape them as leaders.

Accreditation note: Several 18th–19th century schools listed were preparatory academies or institutions that are now defunct and were not accredited under today’s standards. Listings reflect the historical institutions presidents attended at the time.

What college has produced the most presidents?

Eight U.S. Presidents earned either an undergraduate or graduate degree from Harvard University, making it the university that as produced the most Presidents. These Presidents are John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Rutherford B. Hayes, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.

Find your college and follow your dreams

Every president had a different path to success. Some went to famous schools, some went to smaller colleges, and some didn’t go to college at all. What matters is learning, growing, and finding your own way to make a difference.

You can start your journey too. Use our College Match tool to find schools that fit you and your goals, and head over to the Citizens Student Hub for resources to help you reach them.