Vanderbilt University expands national footprint with New York City campus to open in fall 2026

Today, Vanderbilt University marked a defining moment in its 150-year history with the official establishment of its first campus outside of Nashville: Vanderbilt University-New York City. Located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, the campus will welcome an inaugural cohort of students for an Undergraduate Semester Program and a Master of Science in Business and Technology program in fall 2026.

Today the New York Board of Regents unanimously approved Vanderbilt's application for academic programming, which clears the final hurdle in the state's regulatory process and moves Vanderbilt's planned expansion from vision to reality.

"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," Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. "Vanderbilt is committed to providing the best opportunities for our students and faculty and to having the greatest possible impact in the world. 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, and we look forward to starting academic programming next year."

As part of Chelsea's vibrant cultural and technology-driven landscape, the Vanderbilt University-New York City campus spans nearly a full city block and encompasses 13 buildings on 2.7 acres. The student experience will build on the distinctive Vanderbilt culture found in Nashville and be enriched by the unique opportunities and strengths of New York City.

Undergraduate semester program students-predominantly juniors and seniors-will live in residence halls and, in addition to coursework, participate in internships, research positions and other project-based learning as they pursue their interests and explore future career opportunities. Additional undergraduate summer programming and shorter intensives are also expected to launch in the years ahead. The graduate program will feature curriculum from the Owen Graduate School of Management and Vanderbilt's School of Engineering to pair technical expertise with business acumen and equip graduates with the skills necessary to advance New York's growing tech sector and innovation ecosystem.

"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. "As one of the world's great centers of culture, commerce and creativity, New York offers extraordinary opportunities for our students and faculty. This 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."

Research universities drive the innovation that fuels America's competitiveness and prosperity. To solve complex problems, catalyze discovery and stay at the forefront of new ideas and technologies, Vanderbilt's faculty and students need to be connected to places where ideas, talent and industry converge. Establishing a campus in New York City positions Vanderbilt alongside a diverse array of industry leaders, creating collaborations, experiential learning opportunities and research partnerships that accelerate society-shaping breakthroughs and complement the strengths of the university's Nashville campus.

With more than 7,800 alumni and 740 enrolled students, the New York region is home to Vanderbilt's largest community outside Tennessee. In addition to welcoming students and faculty, the campus will serve as a location to convene and engage the broader Vanderbilt community in lifelong learning, networking and intellectual enrichment opportunities.

Fueled by the university's motto and charge-"dare to grow"-the new campus is part of Vanderbilt's broader growth initiatives, which extend its reach to new communities, industries and cities. This includes a proposed campus in West Palm Beach and the creation of an innovation neighborhood in Nashville to unlock the region's potential and accelerate progress. As part of this success, Vanderbilt has also seen admissions applications increase to all-time highs in recent years, accompanied by record-breaking fundraising and faculty growth. The university also recently launched the new College of Connected Computing, which is Vanderbilt's first new college in 40 years.

Already, the New York campus has been woven into the fabric of the city. In spring 2024, Vanderbilt launched the Vanderbilt in the City lecture series and established the campus as a center of dialogue. The lectures consistently welcome standing-room-only audiences.

The campus is expected to welcome about 100 undergraduate students each semester. Vanderbilt University undergraduate students interested in studying for a semester at Vanderbilt University-New York City can learn more through the university's study abroad office. An information session for current undergraduate students is scheduled on the Nashville campus on Nov. 19, 2025, and applications for the inaugural fall 2026 cohort will open the same day. The application deadline is Jan. 13, 2026.

Students interested in the Master of Science in Business and Technology can learn more about the program on our website. Information for faculty interested in teaching in New York will be shared by deans and available through individual schools.

Learn more about Vanderbilt University-New York City and Vanderbilt's growth initiatives.