University of Southern California Opens Satellite Campus in Washington, D.C.

• The University of Southern California has a new campus in Washington, D.C.
• The "Capital Campus" will be the home for the D.C.-based Office of Research Advancement and will cater toward USC students and alumni.
• USC joins Stanford University, Pepperdine University, and the University of California system in opening a Washington, D.C. campus.

The University of Southern California (USC) opened its newest campus extension Wednesday, expanding its presence on the East Coast and in the nation's capital.

"Today, USC has a new home in Washington, D.C. We are significantly expanding our academic excellence and innovative research on the East Coast," USC President Carol L. Folt said in a statement.

"Washington, D.C., is the natural place for us to establish a thriving hub. It is a nexus for the arts, public policy organizations, research agencies, and foundations. Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities for our experts, researchers and students to learn and listen, connect, and share views on the national stage. USC is known for its service to the Los Angeles community, and we look forward to being an active participant in the civic life of Washington, D.C."

The 60,000-square-foot "Capital Campus" was purchased by USC for $49.4 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. The building, located in Dupont Circle, will have lots of meeting and event space, as well as classrooms and study areas for current USC students studying in Washington, D.C. There are also plans to include a theater and USC bookstore.

Additionally, it will be home to the Washington, D.C.-based USC Office of Research Advancement, which helps secure federal funding for multidisciplinary research projects at USC.

"This presence in our nation's capital will significantly increase opportunities for our researchers to influence the many important national conversations on urgent topics that require immediate attention," Ishwar K. Puri, USC's senior vice president for research and innovation, said in a statement.

USC is not the first West Coast university to establish a hub in Washington, D.C. California institutions including Stanford University, Pepperdine University, and the University of California system all have satellite campuses in the area.