The Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, the university was named for its first benefactor, the American entrepreneur and Quaker philanthropist Johns Hopkins.

Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States. Hopkins's $7 million bequest to establish the university was the largest philanthropic gift in U.S. history up to that time.The university has led all U.S. universities in annual research expenditures over the past three decades. The university is ranked among the top universities in the world.

Johns Hopkins is organized into 10 divisions on campuses in Maryland and Washington, D.C., with international centers in Italy and China.The two undergraduate divisions, the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering, are located on the Homewood campus in Baltimore's Charles Village neighborhood. The medical school, nursing school, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center are located on the Medical Institutions campus in East Baltimore. The university also consists of the Peabody Institute, Applied Physics Laboratory, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, School of Education, Carey Business School, and various other facilities.The university also has graduate campuses in Italy, China, and Washington, D.C.

As of October 2019, 39 Nobel laureates and one Fields Medalist have been affiliated with Johns Hopkins's faculty and alumni. Founded in 1883, the Blue Jays men's lacrosse team has captured 44 national titles and plays in the Big Ten Conference as an affiliate member.The university's other sports teams compete in Division III of the NCAA as members of the Centennial Conference.

Living on campus is an indispensable piece of the Hopkins undergraduate experience—nearly all our Homewood campus-based undergraduates live in residence halls during their first two years, and some stay longer.

Two options:

Traditional residence halls, which contain mainly doubles (that’s you and one roommate), with a few singles, and shared bathrooms

Suite-style arrangements, which include doubles, singles, or triples; private bathrooms; and central heating/air conditioning (some also have small kitchenettes)

For others, there are plenty of apartments and houses for rent within walking distance of all four of our Baltimore campuses. JHU’s Off-Campus Housing Office, which publishes listings for available properties, can help.

Baltimore has so much to offer. Museums, restaurants, concert venues, coffee houses, and one-of-kind shops are just a short walk or a free shuttle ride away from our four Baltimore campuses.

A city with a rich history as a working-class port, Baltimore has blossomed into a hub of social, cultural, and economic activity but retains the small-town feel that has earned it the nickname Charm City. From popular tourist attractions—the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, or Fort McHenry (birthplace of “The Star Spangled Banner”)—to more off-the-beaten path destinations—the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, or the tranquil Sherwood Gardens—there is always something new to discover.

Our students enjoy exploring Baltimore many neighborhoods, including Charles Village and Hampden (home to the famous holiday lights on 34th Street and the colorful, quirky Honfest); Mount Vernon and Station North, a prime destination for artists and arts enthusiasts alike; the historic waterfront neighborhoods of Fells Point, Canton, and Federal Hill.

The city hosts events both big and small throughout the year. Baltimore sports fans are passionate about their Orioles and the Ravens; sci-fi lovers can geek out at Baltimore Comic-Con; and hundreds drop by the Baltimore Farmer’s Market each Sunday to pick up fresh local meats, cheeses, flowers, and produce (and perhaps a cup of locally roasted Zeke’s coffee, too). There’s the Maryland Film Festival each spring, a book festival each fall, and Artscape—America’s largest free crafts festival—in the summer

Johns Hopkins University is based in Baltimore, but our 10 divisions are spread out across 10 campuses on three continents.

We have four Baltimore campuses: Homewood, where our schools of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Education are located; East Baltimore, home to our schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health as well as the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital; the Peabody campus, site of the Peabody Institute, the nation’s oldest conservatory; and Harbor East, the waterfront home of the Carey Business School.

Our School of Advanced International Studies is based in Washington, D.C., about an hour south of Baltimore, but also has campuses in Italy and China. And our Applied Physics Laboratory, the nation’s largest university-affiliated research center, is based in nearby Laurel, Maryland.