Miskatonic University is a fictional institution located in the city of Arkham, named after the fictional Miskatonic River. In H.P. Lovecraft's stories, it is depicted as a highly prestigious university, comparable to Harvard, catering to the Massachusetts "Old Gentry". The university is known for its collection of occult books, including rare copies of the Necronomicon and Unaussprechlichen Kulten. Notable characters linked to Miskatonic University include doctors Henry Armitage and Francis Morgan, as well as Professor William Dyer.

The university's history is rich, with significant events like the resurgence in 1690 after the death of Captain Jeremiah Orne, who bequeathed his collection to the institution. This led to a period of growth, allowing Miskatonic University to finance research projects and expeditions, such as the one to Antarctica described in "At the Mountains of Madness".

The campus of Miskatonic University features a vast library housing ancient tomes and forbidden knowledge, like the Necronomicon. The campus includes various facilities such as the language and arts faculty, the science department, dormitories, as well as a hospital and athletics facilities. The university is surrounded by tunnels, initially used for anti-British smuggling before the American Revolution.

The university's slogan, "Ex Ignorantia Ad Sapientiam; Ex Luce Ad Tenebras" ("From Ignorance to Wisdom; From Light to Darkness"), highlights the darker aspects of knowledge, contrary to the usual path from darkness to light. This theme resonates with Lovecraft's cosmic horror, as seen in his works. Throughout Lovecraft's stories, Miskatonic University is populated by a diverse array of faculty members, like Henry Armitage, William Dyer, and Francis Morgan, each contributing to the mysteries and horrors within the university's lore.