First U.S. University to Open Campus in Saudi Arabia: What It Means for Higher Ed

WEST HAVEN, Conn. — The University of New Haven has become the first foreign (and U.S.) university to receive governmental approval to open an international branch campus in Saudi Arabia, officials announced this week. The decision marks a milestone in global higher education expansion.

The Saudi government's Council of Ministers approved UNH's plan on October 7, 2025. The branch campus, to be located in Riyadh, is slated to begin operations in Fall 2026, pending final regulatory clearances.

UNH's Riyadh campus will initially host three colleges: Business and Digital Innovation; Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing; and Arts and Applied Sciences. Programs will be delivered in English, and include undergraduate, graduate, and micro-credential offerings tailored to the Kingdom's future workforce needs.

University President Jens Frederiksen said the approval is a culmination of a more than 20-year history of educational engagement in Saudi Arabia. "we are excited to advance this work by establishing a campus in Riyadh that supports the Kingdom's transformative Vision 2030 goals," he said in a release.

Officials project that at full scale, the Riyadh campus could enroll 13,000 students — a figure that would exceed the size of the Connecticut campus today.

The branch will also offer support structures such as a Preparatory Year Program, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and stackable credentials to foster lifelong learning.

Implications for U.S. and Saudi Universities

The move signals a shift in the global higher education landscape, where American institutions are seeking growth opportunities abroad amid enrollment declines at home. For Saudi Arabia, the partnership represents a key step in localizing quality international education and reducing reliance on overseas study.

Education analysts note that this approval — the first of its kind for a U.S. university — could open the door for similar ventures by other American institutions, particularly those with strong STEM, business, or cybersecurity programs.

Strategic Partnership and Future Prospects

The Riyadh branch is being developed in collaboration with Saudi private-sector and government partners, ensuring local alignment and infrastructure support. Early plans suggest that the university will also serve as a research and innovation hub, promoting collaboration in AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy.

While the final regulatory steps are pending, UNH's official website for its Saudi campus is already live, detailing its mission to "empower a generation of globally minded professionals" and listing ongoing faculty recruitment efforts.

The announcement reflects the increasing globalization of higher education, where academic brands are expanding beyond traditional borders to engage with emerging economies.