What exactly does it mean for a college to be a 'land grant research university'?

Hey everyone, I've been looking into various colleges and I found this term - land grant research university. I'm not quite sure what it means. Can anyone explain what distinguishes land grant research universities from other types of schools?

Hi! It's great that you're actively researching colleges. A land grant research university is a specific type of institution which was created under the Morrill Act of 1862, which granted states parcels of land to sell or develop with the proceeds going towards funding new universities. The primary goals of these universities were to focus on agriculture, military tactics, and engineering, as well as the liberal arts.

In addition to providing education, these institutions also have research and extension services to disseminate new knowledge to the public and support economic development. Today, land grant universities continue to play an important role in higher education and often serve as major research powerhouses in their respective states. Examples of land grant research universities include Michigan State University, the University of California system, and Cornell University.

Though they started with a specific focus, land grant institutions now offer a wide range of programs and opportunities for students, much like other universities.