This paper examines the development of higher education in Iran in the 19th and 20th centuries. It examines the role of Christian missionaries in the creation of Darolfunun, the first Western-style Iranian college, founded in 1851. The University of Teheran, based on French models, was founded in 1934. While Western influence on education in Iran was increasing, the traditional schools of higher education, the madrasahs, continued to flourish, albeit with declining government support. Even in the 1970s, with oil wealth providing the impetus for the creation of many Western-style universities, madrasahs continued to expand and attracts students to their traditional Islamic curriculum. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1978-79, the government has tried to cleanse universities of their Western values and curriculum, and unite the university- and madrasah-systems. Other recent trends in the administration of higher education in Iran are also discussed. Contains 29 references. (MDM)