Syracuse University, a privately owned institution headquartered in Syracuse, New York, United States, was established in 1870 and operates with approximately 9,560 employees. Functioning as a private research university, Syracuse University is situated in the city's University Hill neighborhood, east and southeast of Downtown Syracuse. Established with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Its large campus features an eclectic mix of architecture, ranging from nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival to contemporary buildings. The university is organized into 13 schools and colleges and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".