What university specialized in graduate education the late nineteenth century?

In the late 19th century, several universities were beginning to specialize or significantly expand their graduate education offerings, though the concept of a dedicated "graduate university" as we know it today wasn't fully formed. However, Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, stands out as the most significant example.

Johns Hopkins was deliberately designed with a strong emphasis on graduate education and research, modeled after German universities. It prioritized faculty research and the training of future scholars and researchers, unlike many other American universities at the time that focused primarily on undergraduate instruction. Its establishment had a profound impact on the development of graduate education in the United States.

While other universities offered graduate programs, Johns Hopkins was unique in its *focus* and deliberate structuring around graduate studies as a central mission. Harvard and Yale, for example, were already established and gradually expanded their graduate offerings during this period, but they weren't solely dedicated to graduate education in the way Johns Hopkins was.