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Suffolk University

Boston, MA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Honestas et Diligentia(Honesty and Diligence)

Wikipedia
Private university
Type
6,403
Total Students
4,319
Undergrad
2,078
Graduate
$261M
Endowment
(2025)
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification
President: Marisa Kelly

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Suffolk University

Boston's urban, professions-focused university, built on a legacy of access and opportunity.

Suffolk University, a vibrant private institution nestled in the heart of historic Beacon Hill in Boston, Massachusetts, stands as a beacon of urban education. Carnegie designated as "Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium," it's celebrated for its commitment to practical, career-oriented learning. Home to the renowned Suffolk University Political Research Center, the university actively contributes to public discourse and understanding. With 6,403 students, it holds its place as the tenth-largest university in the bustling metropolitan Boston area, offering a dynamic environment where students thrive.

Suffolk's rich history traces back to 1906 when it was founded by Boston lawyer Gleason Archer Sr. as Archer's Evening Law School. His pioneering vision was to provide ambitious young men, who worked during the day, with access to legal education – a commitment to opportunity that remains central to its ethos. This initial success rapidly expanded, transforming into the Suffolk School of Law. By the 1930s, Archer's dream of a "great evening university" for working people materialized, with the establishment of the Suffolk College of Arts and Sciences in 1934 and the College of Business Administration (now Sawyer Business School) in 1937. That same year, these three academic pillars formally united to become Suffolk University.

Today, Suffolk University comprises the Suffolk College of Arts and Sciences, the distinguished Sawyer Business School, and the venerable Suffolk University Law School, each offering rigorous programs designed to equip students for professional success. The urban campus provides unparalleled access to Boston's myriad opportunities, from internships to cultural experiences, right at the downtown edge of Beacon Hill. Beyond academics, students engage in a lively campus community, cheering on the Suffolk Rams across 19 NCAA Division III varsity sports, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition within the Commonwealth Coast Conference. With its motto, "Honestas et Diligentia" (Honesty and Diligence), Suffolk cultivates an environment where integrity and hard work lead to profound achievement.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1906 as a pioneering evening law school, dedicated to accessible education.
  • A private university located in the vibrant heart of Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Carnegie designated as "Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium."
  • Home to the influential Suffolk University Political Research Center.
  • Endowment of approximately $260.5 million (as of 2025), supporting its mission.
  • Educates 6,403 students, making it the tenth-largest university in metropolitan Boston.
  • Features 19 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams, the Suffolk Rams.

Timeline

1906
Founded as Archer's Evening Law School by Gleason Archer Sr.
1907
Renamed Suffolk School of Law.
1934
Suffolk College of Arts and Sciences founded.
1937
College of Business Administration (later Sawyer Business School) founded.
1937
Incorporated as Suffolk University, uniting its academic units.
1990
Began constructing first residence halls and opening international campuses.
2016
Marisa Kelly became president.

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Suffolk University

🎭

Suffolk College of Arts and Sciences

Founded in 1934 as part of the university's expansion beyond law.

💼

Sawyer Business School

Originally established as the College of Business Administration in 1937, offering robust business education.

⚖️

Suffolk University Law School

The foundational school, established in 1906 as Archer's Evening Law School, dedicated to legal education for working students.

Leadership

via Wikipedia
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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