Manhattanville University
Manhattanville University is a private liberal arts university in Purchase, New York, with about 1,400 undergraduate students. Located on approximately 100-acres in Westchester County, Manhattanville offers the benefits of a suburban campus while being only about 30 miles from New York City. The university dates back to 1841, when it was founded in New York City as a women’s boarding school by the Society of the Sacred Heart. The name officially changed from Manhattanville College to Manhattanville University in 2024.
Academically, M’ville combines a liberal arts education with practical, career-focused opportunities. It offers more than 55 undergraduate programs and 70 graduate programs. Popular areas include education, business, nursing and health sciences, while programs such as cybersecurity, political science, and social justice are growing. Classes are generally in the 12–15 student range, and a maximum of 20 students is allowed in classes. Students can double major, and Manhattanville offers numerous accelerated pathways, including several 4+1 bachelor’s-to-master’s programs and an accelerated MBA option. Some students can also complete a bachelor’s degree in three years through the new Valiant Fast Track program.
Manhattanville puts a strong emphasis on connecting academics with career preparation. An experiential-learning requirement means most undergraduates complete an approved internship before graduation. The Center for Career Development helps students explore careers, find internships, prepare resumes and interviews and connect with employers and alumni. The university’s location is particularly useful for students interested in professional opportunities: the Mastercard headquarters borders campus, and Pepsi’s offices are also nearby.
Students who are unsure of their academic direction can participate in the Atlas Program, which helps them reflect on their college experiences, connect their academic and extracurricular interests and develop a roadmap toward their academic and career goals. Manhattanville also has extensive academic and transition support. The Valiant Launch Program is a fee-based program that pairs participating students one-on-one with a Learning Specialist for support with organization, planning, time management, task initiation and other executive-functioning skills. Students in the program can also move into their residence halls early and participate in a pre-orientation designed to make the transition to college easier.
Admission is rolling, with no overall application deadline, although students who apply by March 1 receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships. Manhattanville is test-optional and all admitted students are automatically considered for generous merit scholarships. Nursing and Radiologic Technology are direct-admit programs.
Almost half of M'ville undergraduates commute from home, and the campus has a relatively quiet weekend atmosphere, with few classes scheduled on Fridays. Students can participate in more than 70 clubs and organizations and 24 NCAA Division III sports. For students who choose to live in the residence halls, traditional doubles are common for first-year students and suites are available to upperclassmen. The historic campus includes Reid Castle, two chapels, modern science and nursing facilities, a Design Thinking Center with a fabrication lab and the Center for Academic Writing.
Who would thrive at Manhattanville:
Manhattanville is a good fit for a student who wants a small university where professors know their students and offer a lot of individualized support. It could be especially appealing to a student who wants a liberal arts education but also values career preparation, internships and opportunities to connect classroom learning with the professional world. Students interested in nursing, education, business, health sciences or emerging areas such as cybersecurity will find particularly strong programs. A student who wants access to New York City without living on a city campus or someone who appreciates a diverse community and a school with a history of social justice and civic engagement would thrive here.
Fun Facts:
Manhattanville's current campus (since 1952) was once the Westchester estate of Whitelaw Reid, owner of The New York Tribune and a U.S. ambassador.
Reid Castle, the centerpiece of campus, was inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect associated with New York City's Central Park.
Manhattanville students played a role in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1969, eighteen students occupied Brownson Hall to call for greater representation and scholarship opportunities for minority students.
Oscar-Winning actor Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King) and Emmy-Winning actor Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) are Manhattanville alumnae.
The Lady Chapel on campus is the oldest of three remaining family chapels in Westchester County and was restored with the help of architect Maya Lin.
Manhattanville was founded as a school for women but admitted male students beginning in 1969.
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