Our Campuses: Santa Monica and Washington D.C.
Two Campuses. One RAND Experience.
The RAND School lives on both coasts. Our Santa Monica campus is two blocks from the Pacific; our D.C. campus is across the river from the Capitol. Same degree programs, same faculty, same community—two distinctly different places to call home while you're here. Students move between them freely. Your decision is less about picking a campus than picking where to start.
D.C. Campus (Washington, D.C. Metro Area)
Photo by Jason Dixson Photography
Our DC campus is colocated with RAND’s office in Arlington, Virginia, steps from the Pentagon and across the Potomac from downtown Washington, D.C. Students here are fully immersed in the policy ecosystem that defines the nation’s capital, with unparalleled access to federal agencies, think tanks, embassies, and Capitol Hill.
The surrounding Pentagon City and Crystal City neighborhoods offer vibrant dining, shopping, and waterfront walking trails along the Potomac, while the iconic museums, monuments, and cultural landmarks of Washington, D.C. are just a short Metro ride away.
Public transportation is exceptional, with the Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines, extensive bus routes, and Reagan National Airport all conveniently located near campus.
Housing and Transportation in the Washington, D.C. Area
Students live independently, and many find housing in Arlington, Alexandria, Silver Spring, or Washington, D.C. There are numerous apartment complexes, rental options, and shared housing opportunities near universities and in the neighborhoods throughout the D.C. area, catering to different budgets and preferences. Students who live further away from campus are often able to find less expensive housing.
Located in Pentagon City, the Washington Campus is easily accessible by Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines.
Photo by Jason Dixson Photography
Santa Monica Campus (Los Angeles Metro Area)
Photo by Marci Manklow Photography
The RAND School‘s picturesque Santa Monica campus sits two blocks from the Pacific Ocean in iconic Santa Monica, California. Students experience the cultural diversity and international vibrance of the greater Los Angeles metro area while enjoying immediate access to the tranquility of the coastline, local parks, and downtown activities.
Santa Monica‘s famous beaches, dynamic arts and culinary scenes, and lively neighborhoods are integral to daily student life, with easy access to all that metropolitan Los Angeles has to offer. Public transportation is plentiful, with buses and the Metro Expo Line just minutes from campus.
Housing and Transportation in the LA Area
Students live independently, and many find housing in Santa Monica, Venice, Palms, Mar Vista, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, or Culver City. There are different types of housing in these areas, including studio apartments, apartments to share or live on your own, and rooms to rent in a house. Students who live further away from campus are often able to find less expensive housing opportunities.
RAND is easily accessible by freeway, bike routes, bus lines, and the Metro rail. The terminus of the Los Angeles Metro Expo line is a few blocks from RAND and connects Santa Monica to Downtown LA, Pasadena, Long Beach, Culver City, and locations across LA County.
Photo by Laser1987/Getty Images
Compare Our Campuses
Both campuses offer all RAND School degree programs—Ph.D., M.Phil., Master of Policy Analysis, Master of National Security Policy, and Master of Technology Policy—with core courses taught in person and electives available across campuses in hybrid and in-person formats.
Students can switch between our Santa Monica and Washington, D.C. campuses, and we always collaborate across campuses, and take part in activities spanning both coasts.
| Feature | Santa Monica | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Students | 150+ and growing | 85+ and growing |
| Course Schedule | Daytime | Daytime and evening (5–8 p.m.) |
| OJT Opportunities | Available on site and across offices | Available on site and across offices |
| Transportation | Near Metro (Expo Line) and buses | Directly on Pentagon City Metro |
| International Students | Approved for Ph.D. and M.Phil. | Approved for Ph.D. and M.Phil. |
Visiting Our Campuses
Because RAND’s facilities are secure, campus tours are not available to the general public. However, admitted students will be invited to visit us in person, and our virtual recruiting sessions and office hours provide an excellent way to learn more about our school and programs.