Here you’ll find 50 Colleges that start with C. They range from “California Institute of Technology” to “The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art”. This collection includes public and private institutions, technical schools and liberal arts colleges useful for prospective students, parents, guidance counselors and researchers.
Colleges that start with C are educational institutions whose official English name begins with the letter C, often reflecting founders, places, or academic focus. Many well‑known research universities and historic liberal arts colleges appear among them, including internationally recognized examples like Caltech.
Below you’ll find the table with Institution, Location, Founded and Notable alumni.
Institution: The college’s official name helps you identify the exact school and match it in searches or application materials.
Location: The city and state or country tell you where the campus sits and help you assess travel, climate and regional fit.
Founded: The verified founding year gives historical context and helps you compare institutional age, traditions and development.
Notable alumni: One to three high‑profile graduates illustrate the college’s influence, career pathways and networking potential.
Colleges that start with C
| Name | Location | Founded | Notable alumni |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California, United States | 1891 | Linus Pauling (Nobel laureate); Gordon Moore (co-founder of Intel) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | 1900 | Andy Warhol (artist); Ted Danson (actor) |
| Columbia University | New York City, New York, United States | 1754 | Barack Obama (44th U.S. President); Amelia Earhart (aviator) |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, New York, United States | 1865 | Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Supreme Court Justice); Bill Nye (scientist) |
| Cardiff University | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom | 1883 | Neil Kinnock (politician); Huw Edwards (journalist) |
| Carleton College | Northfield, Minnesota, United States | 1866 | Thorstein Veblen (economist); Mary-Claire King (geneticist) |
| Carleton University | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 1942 | Dan Aykroyd (actor); Rosemary Barton (journalist) |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | 1826 | Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist); Paul Buchheit (creator of Gmail) |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, D.C., United States | 1887 | Susan Sarandon (actress); John Carroll Lynch (actor) |
| Central European University | Vienna, Austria | 1991 | Giorgi Margvelashvili (former President of Georgia) |
| Charles University | Prague, Czech Republic | 1348 | Franz Kafka (novelist); Nikola Tesla (inventor) |
| City, University of London | London, England, United Kingdom | 1894 | Margaret Thatcher (former UK Prime Minister); Tony Blair (former UK Prime Minister) |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, California, United States | 1946 | Henry Kravis (financier); Douglas Day O’Brien (ambassador) |
| Clarkson University | Potsdam, New York, United States | 1896 | M.C. Escher (artist, honorary degree); Barney Frank (politician) |
| Clemson University | Clemson, South Carolina, United States | 1889 | Nikki Haley (politician); DeAndre Hopkins (NFL player) |
| Colby College | Waterville, Maine, United States | 1813 | Alan J. Pakula (film director); Doris Kearns Goodwin (historian) |
| Colgate University | Hamilton, New York, United States | 1819 | Andy Rooney (journalist); Charles Addams (cartoonist) |
| College of Charleston | Charleston, South Carolina, United States | 1770 | Frank Blair (journalist); Padmasree Warrior (tech executive) |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States | 1874 | Ken Salazar (politician); James Heckman (Nobel laureate) |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, Colorado, United States | 1874 | Fred Allison (physicist); George R. Brown (entrepreneur) |
| Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, Illinois, United States | 1890 | Common (rapper/actor); Aidy Bryant (comedian) |
| Concordia University | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | 1974 | Mordecai Richler (author); Régine Chassagne (musician) |
| Connecticut College | New London, Connecticut, United States | 1911 | Joan Rivers (comedian); Estelle Parsons (actress) |
| The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | New York City, New York, United States | 1859 | Thomas Edison (inventor, attended); Daniel Libeskind (architect) |
| Copenhagen Business School | Frederiksberg, Denmark | 1917 | Søren Skou (CEO of Maersk); Lene Nystrøm (musician) |
| Cranfield University | Cranfield, England, United Kingdom | 1946 | Warren East (CEO of Rolls-Royce); Charlie Masefield (pilot) |
| Creighton University | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | 1878 | Mike Johanns (politician); Bob Gibson (baseball player) |
| Curtin University | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | 1966 | Judy Davis (actress); Tim Minchin (comedian) |
| The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, South Carolina, United States | 1842 | Pat Conroy (author); Ernest Hollings (politician) |
| Chapman University | Orange, California, United States | 1861 | Matt Duffer (co-creator of Stranger Things); Ross Duffer (co-creator of Stranger Things) |
| California State University, Chico | Chico, California, United States | 1887 | Raymond Carver (author); Mat Kearney (musician) |
| City College of New York | New York City, New York, United States | 1847 | Jonas Salk (virologist); Ira Gershwin (lyricist); Henry Kissinger (diplomat) |
| Calvin University | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | 1876 | Richard DeVos (co-founder of Amway); Paul Schrader (screenwriter) |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina, United States | 1887 | John Edwards (politician); Gaylord Perry (baseball player) |
| Canisius College | Buffalo, New York, United States | 1870 | Cory Conacher (NHL player); John J. LaFalce (politician) |
| Capital University | Columbus, Ohio, United States | 1830 | Ron Sega (astronaut); Matt tributaries (musician) |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, Massachusetts, United States | 1843 | Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court Justice); Chris Matthews (pundit) |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, Georgia, United States | 1955 | Wes King (musician); Joel Belz (publisher) |
| Chulalongkorn University | Bangkok, Thailand | 1917 | Maha Vajiralongkorn (King of Thailand); Surakiart Sathirathai (politician) |
| Chalmers University of Technology | Gothenburg, Sweden | 1829 | Gustaf Dalén (Nobel laureate); Leif Johansson (CEO of Ericsson) |
| Central Queensland University | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia | 1967 | Julian Assange (WikiLeaks founder, attended); Wayne Blair (director) |
| Clark University | Worcester, Massachusetts, United States | 1887 | Robert H. Goddard (rocket pioneer); Padma Lakshmi (television host) |
| College of William & Mary | Williamsburg, Virginia, United States | 1693 | Thomas Jefferson (3rd U.S. President); Jon Stewart (comedian) |
| California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, California, United States | 1901 | Weird Al Yankovic (musician); John Madden (NFL coach) |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States | 1892 | Jeff Daniels (actor); Terry O’Quinn (actor) |
| College of Wooster | Wooster, Ohio, United States | 1866 | Stanley Gault (CEO of Goodyear); Arthur Holly Compton (Nobel laureate) |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | 1869 | Rachel Carson (biologist); Muriel Bowser (Mayor of Washington, D.C.) |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | 1871 | Harry B. Smith (CBS News correspondent); Charles D. Morgan (CEO of Acxiom) |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News, Virginia, United States | 1961 | Kaitlan Collins (journalist); Randall Munroe (creator of xkcd) |
| Cedarville University | Cedarville, Ohio, United States | 1887 | David Jeremiah (author); Grace Norman (paralympic gold medalist) |
Descriptions
California Institute of Technology
A world-renowned private research university, Caltech is accredited by WASC and known for its strength in science and engineering, managing NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Carnegie Mellon University
This private research university is accredited by MSCHE and is a global leader in computer science, robotics, and drama, with over a dozen degree-granting locations worldwide.
Columbia University
An Ivy League research university accredited by MSCHE. It is the oldest higher education institution in New York and administers the annual Pulitzer Prize.
Cornell University
A private Ivy League and land-grant research university accredited by MSCHE. It has a unique mission to teach and make contributions in all fields of knowledge.
Cardiff University
A public research university in Wales and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. It is recognized by the UK government and is known for its research output.
Carleton College
A private liberal arts college accredited by the HLC. It is known for its academic rigor, trimester-based calendar, and high percentage of students who study abroad.
Carleton University
A comprehensive public university in Canada’s capital, recognized by Universities Canada. It is well-regarded for its programs in journalism, public affairs, and international relations.
Case Western Reserve University
A private research university accredited by the HLC. It is known for its medical school and was the site of the famous Michelson-Morley experiment.
The Catholic University of America
A private research university accredited by MSCHE. It is the national university of the Catholic Church in the U.S., founded by American Catholic bishops.
Central European University
A private research university accredited in Austria and the U.S. It is known for its focus on social sciences, humanities, law, and public policy.
Charles University
One of the oldest universities in Europe, recognized by the Czech Ministry of Education. It comprises 17 faculties and is a leading research university in Central Europe.
City, University of London
A public research university recognized by the UK government and a constituent college of the University of London. It has a strong reputation for business and the professions.
Claremont McKenna College
A private liberal arts college accredited by WASC and a member of the Claremont Colleges. It specializes in economics, government, and public affairs.
Clarkson University
A private research university accredited by MSCHE. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and science, with a focus on sustainable energy.
Clemson University
A public land-grant research university accredited by SACSCOC. It is classified as an R1 research university and is known for its strong athletics and school spirit.
Colby College
A private liberal arts college accredited by NECHE. It is one of the “Little Ivies” and was the first all-male college in New England to admit women.
Colgate University
A private liberal arts college accredited by MSCHE. Known for its beautiful campus, it is one of the “Hidden Ivies” and emphasizes its core curriculum.
College of Charleston
A public liberal arts and sciences university accredited by SACSCOC. It’s the 13th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
Colorado College
A private liberal arts college accredited by the HLC. It is known for its unique “Block Plan,” where students take one class at a time for three-and-a-half weeks.
Colorado School of Mines
A public research university accredited by the HLC, focusing on engineering and applied science. It has a specific mission related to energy and the environment.
Columbia College Chicago
A private college accredited by the HLC specializing in arts and media disciplines. It offers a practical curriculum for students in creative fields.
Concordia University
A public comprehensive university in Montreal recognized by Universities Canada. It is one of two English-language universities in the city and has strong fine arts and business programs.
Connecticut College
A private liberal arts college accredited by NECHE. Founded as a women’s college, it became coeducational in 1969 and has a student-run honor code.
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
A private college accredited by MSCHE offering degrees in architecture, fine arts, and engineering. Historically, it offered free tuition to all admitted students.
Copenhagen Business School
A public university recognized by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science. It is one of the largest business schools in Europe and holds triple crown accreditation.
Cranfield University
A British postgraduate public research university recognized by the UK government. It specializes in technology and management and has its own operational airport.
Creighton University
A private Jesuit university accredited by the HLC. It is one of 27 Jesuit institutions in the U.S. and is known for its health sciences and law programs.
Curtin University
An Australian public research university, recognized by TEQSA. It is Western Australia’s largest university and has a strong global presence with several international campuses.
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
A public senior military college accredited by SACSCOC. Its Corps of Cadets is one of the largest uniformed student bodies in the U.S. outside the service academies.
Chapman University
A private research university accredited by WASC. It is known for its Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, one of the top-ranked film schools in the country.
California State University, Chico
A public university accredited by WASC and part of the California State University system. Known for its residential campus feel and strong programs in business and computer science.
City College of New York
A public senior college of CUNY, accredited by MSCHE. It was the first free public higher education institution in the U.S. and has produced 10 Nobel laureates.
Calvin University
A private Christian university accredited by the HLC and affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. It is known for its biannual Festival of Faith and Writing.
Campbell University
A private university accredited by SACSCOC, affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. It includes a law school and a school of osteopathic medicine.
Canisius College
A private Jesuit college accredited by MSCHE, located in Buffalo. It is one of 27 Jesuit institutions in the U.S. and has strong business and education programs.
Capital University
A private university accredited by the HLC, located near downtown Columbus. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and has a well-regarded law school.
College of the Holy Cross
A private Jesuit liberal arts college accredited by NECHE. It is the oldest Catholic college in New England and operates exclusively on an undergraduate basis.
Covenant College
A private Christian liberal arts college accredited by SACSCOC. It is the official college of the Presbyterian Church in America and is located atop Lookout Mountain.
Chulalongkorn University
A public research university recognized by the Thai Ministry of Higher Education. It is Thailand’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities.
Chalmers University of Technology
A private Swedish university focused on research in technology and natural sciences. It is recognized by the Swedish Higher Education Authority and has produced multiple Nobel laureates.
Central Queensland University
An Australian public university recognized by TEQSA. Known as CQUniversity, it has numerous campuses across Australia and is a leader in distance education.
Clark University
A private research university accredited by NECHE. It was one of the first modern research universities in the U.S. and is known for its psychology and geography programs.
College of William & Mary
A public research university accredited by SACSCOC, designated a “Public Ivy.” It is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A public university accredited by WASC, part of the Cal State system. Known as Cal Poly, it emphasizes a “learn by doing” philosophy with strong engineering and agriculture programs.
Central Michigan University
A public research university accredited by the HLC. It is one of the largest universities in Michigan, with over 15,000 students on its main campus.
College of Wooster
A private liberal arts college accredited by the HLC. It is known for its mentored undergraduate research and a required Independent Study thesis for all students.
Chatham University
A private university accredited by MSCHE. Formerly a women’s college, it became fully coeducational in 2015 and is known for its focus on sustainability.
Christian Brothers University
A private Catholic university accredited by SACSCOC. It emphasizes a personalized education with a low student-to-faculty ratio in engineering, sciences, and business.
Christopher Newport University
A public university accredited by SACSCOC. Known for its strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum, it has a highly residential campus and emphasizes leadership and service.
Cedarville University
A private Baptist university accredited by the HLC. It is known for its conservative Christian ethos and required daily chapel services for students.