Harvard University, United States

Harvard University is rated as number one university in World University Rankings 2009. Harvard is the oldest American institution of higher learning, founded 140 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The University has grown from nine students with a single master to an enrollment of more than 18,000 degree candidates, including undergraduates and students in 10 principal academic units. An additional 13,000 students are enrolled in one or more in the Harvard Extension School. More than 14,000 people work at Harvard, including more than 2,000 faculty. There are also 7000 teaching faculty appointment at affiliated hospitals.