Which university, founded in 1799, was the first state-chartered university in the United States?

The University of Georgia, founded in 1799, holds the distinction of being the first state-chartered university in the United States. This milestone reflects an important moment in educational history as it marked the beginning of public higher education in the country. The establishment of the University of Georgia represented a shift towards state-supported education, paving the way for other public universities to follow suit. While institutions such as Harvard and Yale were established earlier as private colleges, they did not have the state charter status that distinguishes the University of Georgia. The University of Virginia, also an important institution, was founded later in 1819, thus it cannot be the answer to this question. The founding of the University of Georgia is significant in understanding the development of higher education in America and the role of state governments in supporting it.