Top U.S. Universities Race to Launch Satellite Campuses in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is becoming a battleground for higher education as out-of-state universities establish satellite campuses across the city, prompting local institutions like UCLA and USC to expand their own footprints.

The University of Michigan, based in Ann Arbor, announced on July 28 that its Ross School of Business will open a new campus in downtown Los Angeles in early 2026. The campus will occupy 20,000 square feet inside The Grand LA, a major mixed-use development across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved a $12 million lease expenditure in September 2023. The space will house the school’s Executive MBA program, alumni events, and other university functions.

Houston-Tillotson University, a historically Black college in Austin, Texas, plans to launch two new campuses in California next month—one in Los Angeles County, the other in San Diego County. Specific opening dates have not been disclosed.

Arizona State University (ASU) entered the LA market earlier, opening its California Center in downtown Los Angeles in 2021. ASU offers programs in film, journalism, communication, and fashion, aligning with LA’s cultural industries. The school particularly targets students not admitted to University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses.

Emerson College, based in Boston, established its Hollywood campus in 2014 and has since operated programs tailored to the entertainment industry.

With the influx of out-of-state institutions, UCLA and USC are now expanding their own regional campuses to maintain influence and competitiveness within the Los Angeles education market. Both schools are working to reinforce their presence in key urban zones as the city evolves into a national hub for higher education.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]