Vanderbilt University marked a milestone in its 150-year history with the official establishment of its first campus outside Nashville. The newly approved Vanderbilt University–New York City, located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, will open its doors to students in fall 2026, offering both undergraduate and graduate programs.
The announcement follows unanimous approval from the New York Board of Regents, clearing the final regulatory step for the university’s expansion. “We are grateful to the New York Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department for their approval and deeply appreciate the support of elected officials and other partners who share our vision for what Vanderbilt can add to New York City,” said Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “Few cities offer the opportunities for learning and discovery available in New York. We are delighted to join the city’s outstanding higher education community.”
The 2.7-acre campus spans nearly an entire city block and includes 13 buildings in one of Manhattan’s most dynamic neighborhoods. The site’s location in Chelsea—a hub of art, culture, and technology—aligns with Vanderbilt’s focus on innovation and experiential learning. Students will live in residence halls, take courses, and engage in internships and research projects across the city.
The Undergraduate Semester Program will primarily serve juniors and seniors who want to integrate coursework with professional experience. A Master of Science in Business and Technology program will also launch through the Owen Graduate School of Management and the School of Engineering. The program will combine technical training with business strategy to prepare graduates for leadership roles in New York’s growing tech and innovation sectors.
“Vanderbilt University–New York City extends our world-class scholarship and exemplifies our commitment to immersive, place-based learning that equips future leaders to bridge divides and shape a rapidly changing world,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver. She added that the new campus “will deepen collaboration between Vanderbilt and New York’s vibrant communities, connect learning with professional experience across sectors like finance, technology, media and the arts, and serve as a new venue for research, dialogue and discovery to flourish.”
Vanderbilt’s move into New York represents part of a broader institutional growth strategy. The university is also developing a campus in West Palm Beach, Florida, and creating an innovation district in Nashville. These efforts build on record-breaking application numbers, faculty expansion, and the recent launch of the College of Connected Computing—the first new college at Vanderbilt in four decades.
The New York campus will also serve as a hub for alumni engagement, with more than 7,800 Vanderbilt graduates already living in the region. It continues the university’s “dare to grow” mission by bringing its academic culture to one of the world’s leading centers of commerce and creativity
