Private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. It was founded as a college for women by Matthew Vassar (1792–1868) in 1861 but did not open until 1865.
It became coeducational in 1968. Vassar offers undergraduate studies in most major disciplines, and it has master's degree programs in biology, chemistry, and drama. The F.L. Loeb Art Center houses one of the oldest art collections in the U.S.