Community

Schools, Scholars & Students

From the first Armenian Sunday school in New York to university chairs, day schools and exchange programs that connect students in both countries.

Knowledge & Exchange

Education & Academic Ties

Education has been central to the Armenian American story from the earliest days. The first Armenian Sunday school in the United States was founded in New York in the late 1880s. Today, Armenian American educational institutions span from bilingual day schools to university partnerships, and the community's educational attainment significantly exceeds the national average.

100+

Armenian Schools

More than 100 Armenian schools operate on weekends across America. Ferrahian Armenian School, founded in 1964, is the oldest Armenian daily school in the country. Mashdots College in Glendale, founded in 1992, is the only Armenian higher education institution in the United States. Source

26%

Bachelor's Degree Holders

Of Armenian Americans aged 25 and older, 26% hold a college degree and 26.1% hold a bachelor's degree. Among U.S.-born Armenians, 41% have at least a four-year college degree as of 2007 — well above the national average. Source

16

Exchange Programs

The U.S. Embassy in Armenia administers 16 exchange programs sending Armenians to the United States, with participants ranging from high school students to parliamentarians. The number of Armenians studying in the U.S. reached a record in 2023. Source

3

University Partnerships

Three partnerships connect Armenian universities with Cornell University, Washington State University, and Florida State University. The U.S. recently reopened eligibility for Armenian participants in the SABIT business leader exchange programs. The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation supports heritage preservation projects in Armenia. Source

245K

Armenian Speakers

Armenian is still spoken at home by roughly 245,000 people across the country (Migration Policy Institute (2023 ACS)). Language preservation remains a community priority, with Saturday schools, bilingual programs, and media serving both Western and Eastern Armenian. Source

76%

Early Literacy

Even the earliest Armenian immigrants to America had a literacy rate of 76% — remarkable for the era and a testament to the cultural value placed on education. This commitment to learning has continued across generations, driving the community's outsized contributions to science, academia, and innovation. Source

Sources