The American College, often referred to as American College, is one of the oldest colleges present in India. It is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu state, south of India. It was founded in 1881 by American Christian missionaries.The college is situated in Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. The red-brick buildings, in the Saracenic style of architecture, blend with the natural surroundings constructed by British architect Henry Irwin. The object of the college is to give the students a liberal Christian education, to train them in the service of God and people and to do such other things as are in harmony with that object. The continuing vision and vibrancy of the college flow naturally from the commitment to this original object. The holistic education that this vision implies enables the development of the body, mind and spirit of the student. The college maintains a desirably low faculty-student ratio. A major innovation underway is the choice-based credit system (CBCS). It is hoped that this will make education student-centered. The American College is one of the institutions in higher education known for its focus on academic excellence and social relevance.