Vanderbilt University Launches New Campus in San Francisco by 2027

Vanderbilt University has announced plans to establish a new full-time campus in San Francisco, set to open in 2027. The university will acquire the former site of the California College of the Arts (CCA) after the college ceases operations at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. This move marks a significant expansion for Vanderbilt, which has also recently launched campuses in New York City and West Palm Beach.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vanderbilt will take ownership of CCA’s campus, which will be utilized for both undergraduate and graduate programs. These include art and design disciplines, thus continuing CCA’s legacy in the Bay Area. Vanderbilt plans to honor this heritage by establishing a CCA Institute on its new campus, which will feature the Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts. The university intends to preserve CCA’s archival materials and maintain engagement with its alumni.

According to CCA President David C. Howse, “Through these activities, Vanderbilt will honor CCA’s longstanding creative mission and maintain a strong presence for art and design education in the Bay Area.”

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier emphasized the importance of this new campus, stating, “San Francisco offers an extraordinary environment for learning at the intersection of innovation, creativity, and technology. By establishing a significant full-time presence here, Vanderbilt is expanding the ways our students and faculty engage with the world’s most innovative cities.” Diermeier also expressed gratitude to Mayor Daniel Lurie for his support, highlighting the university’s commitment to becoming a long-term partner in San Francisco.

The decision to close CCA was not made lightly. President Howse noted that after nearly two years of addressing the college’s financial challenges, the closure was deemed a necessary step. CCA was the last remaining private art and design institution in the Bay Area, but declining enrollments had rendered its tuition-driven business model unsustainable. Efforts to secure private funding, along with a $20 million grant from the state of California, were ultimately insufficient to ensure the college’s viability.

As part of the transition, CCA will work closely with accredited institutions to facilitate transfer and completion pathways for students who need additional time to finalize their studies. Howse stated that more information regarding these arrangements would be shared as they are developed.

Vanderbilt’s new campus is expected to adopt an interdisciplinary educational model that integrates engineering, entrepreneurship, and design with a solid foundation in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. This approach aims to blend creativity with analytical skills to foster innovation and breakthroughs.

Local officials have praised Vanderbilt’s commitment to San Francisco. Mayor Lurie remarked, “Vanderbilt’s decision to invest in our city is a powerful testament to the fact that San Francisco is on the rise. As Vanderbilt establishes its presence, they will carry forward CCA’s legacy and continue the work of educating the next generation of creative leaders in our city.”

Vanderbilt University plans to release further details regarding the timing, facilities, faculty participation, and academic programming as it collaborates with the city of San Francisco on the next steps. The establishment of this campus represents a strategic investment in the future of education and creative development in the region.