The correct answer to this open question is the following.
The first American institution of higher learning was Harvard College.
This educational institution was created in 1636 with the sole purpose to teach the clergy of the time. Later, in 1639, the institution changed its name to Harvard University. John Harvard was the founder. Throughout the years, the institution was growing and added more programs such as medical studies in 1782. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusets, miles away from the city of Boston.