First Land-Grant

Iowa started an education revolution as the first state to accept the 1862 Morrill Act terms. The act allowed Iowa to sell federal land to finance a new college open at all regardless of wealth, race or gender; offering a practical education in agriculture, engineering and military science as well as classical studies; and sharing research knowledge with all Iowans. Iowa State University officially opened in 1869 and was the first coeducational land-grant school.

Ames, Iowa · United States