Vanderbilt University is considering opening a campus in San Francisco

The city has been hoping to attract a major university to its downtown.

July 29, 2025

Key Highlights

Vanderbilt University is in talks with San Francisco officials to open a campus in the city's downtown area.
City officials see the potential campus as a way to support San Francisco's ongoing recovery from pandemic-related economic challenges.
San Francisco's downtown has a 35% commercial vacancy rate.
Vanderbilt already has campuses in New York City and West Palm Beach.

Vanderbilt University says it is considering opening a campus in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Nashville, Tennessee-based university has been working with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's office on establishing a campus in the city's downtown.

Lurie's office confirmed the talks with Vanderbilt.

"[W]elcoming a world-class university like Vanderbilt to our city would bring new energy and foot traffic downtown, and we will continue working to make that happen," Lurie says.

Vanderbilt has a record of expansion, with hubs in New York City and West Palm Beach, Florida.

The arrival of a university could help San Francisco's downtown, which is still recovering from pandemic effects that emptied offices and saw the closures of several major retailers and restaurants. Commercial vacancy in San Francisco is at around 35%.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.