University of New Haven to Launch First Saudi Campus in Riyadh

May 20, 2026

64 min

May 20, 2026 11:31

US University of New Haven to open first Saudi campus in Riyadh this September

## New Campus Opening

The University of New Haven is set to open its first campus in Saudi Arabia this September, located in Riyadh's Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. This marks the first American university branch in the kingdom, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to enhance international higher education.

## Initial Offerings

The Riyadh campus will initially feature a College of Business and Digital Innovation, offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs will focus on business, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation, with an expected initial enrollment of up to 500 students.

## Future Expansion Plans

The university plans to expand its offerings in the future to include colleges specializing in engineering, advanced manufacturing, arts, and applied sciences. Once fully operational, the campus aims to accommodate approximately 13,000 students.

## Strategic Approval

The New England Commission of Higher Education has approved the establishment of this campus, which is described as the first US international branch in Saudi Arabia. University President Jens Frederiksen highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to innovation and workforce development as key factors in this expansion.

## Broader Educational Goals

This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to attract top international educational institutions and strengthen its private higher education sector, as the country seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil.

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