Carleton University is a public university on a 100-acre campus in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1942 as Carleton College.
Carleton University was established in 1942 as Carleton College, born out of a vision to provide opportunities for young people in Ottawa, many of whom were working to support themselves in the wake of the Great Depression. Unlike other Ontario universities, Carleton was founded as a non-denominational college, supported in part by charitable donations from the local community. On June 18, 1942, the Ottawa Association for the Advancement of Learning was established to oversee the operation of Carleton College. Henry Marshall Tory was appointed Carleton's first president and chair of the board.
Carleton's campus is situated on a scenic 100-acre campus between the Rideau River and Rideau Canal, beside the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Rideau Canal. The campus is centrally located, easily accessible by transit, and just minutes from downtown Ottawa. The campus address is 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada. Campus map, University Buildings, Parking Services, and Student Support Services are available.
Carleton has built a strong reputation in fields such as journalism, international affairs, engineering, architecture and high technology. Undergraduate students can choose from over 200 programs within 26 undergraduate degree options. Graduate students can explore over 100 graduate programs with professional development and research opportunities.
Carleton describes itself as an institution that pushes boundaries, challenges perspectives and turns knowledge into action. The university has a global network of more than 188K alumni with over 45 international chapters, fostering connections and collaborations across industries and continents.