Where Did Ariana Grande Go To College?

Ariana Grande is one of the biggest pop stars in the world today. With multiple chart-topping albums and singles, she has solidified herself as a force in the music industry.

However, before she was a massive superstar, Ariana Grande was just a normal teenager trying to figure out her path. An important part of that journey for many is choosing where to go to college. So where did Ariana Grande go to college?

Ariana’s Early Life and Career Beginnings

Ariana Grande-Butera was born on June 26, 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida. From a young age, it was clear that Ariana was gifted with an incredible singing voice. As a child, she performed with youth theater groups and sang at philanthropic events.

When she was 13 years old, Ariana landed a role on the Nickelodeon TV show Victorious. This kickstarted her acting career and provided her first brush with fame. Ariana played the role of Cat Valentine on Victorious for 4 seasons until the show ended in 2013.

While acting on Victorious, Ariana continued to cultivate her singing talent. She recorded soundtrack music for Victorious and YouTube cover songs that showed off her impressive vocal range. Ariana’s singing skill began attracting wider attention from those in the music industry.

Ariana’s College Experience

Despite her early success as a singer and actress, Ariana Grande still wanted the experience of attending college. In 2009, at age 16, Ariana was accepted to Purchase College, State University of New York (SUNY Purchase) in Purchase, NY.

Why Did Ariana Choose SUNY Purchase?

Ariana chose SUNY Purchase for several key reasons:

• Strong arts programs: SUNY Purchase is known for its exceptional performing arts programs, including theater, music, and dance. This appealed to Ariana’s interests.
• Opportunity to continue acting: The school’s proximity to New York City provided chances for Ariana to continue professional acting work while in college.
• Small class sizes: With just over 4,000 students, SUNY Purchase offered smaller class sizes and more individual attention than larger universities.
• Location near NYC: SUNY Purchase’s campus in Westchester County, NY was not too far from Ariana’s hometown of Boca Raton. But it still allowed access to NYC’s entertainment industry.

So the combination of strong arts training, small classes, and location made SUNY Purchase an ideal college choice for Ariana at the time.

What Did Ariana Study at SUNY Purchase?

Ariana Grande enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a musical theater major. This allowed her to take a diverse array of classes related to acting, singing, and dance.

Some of the courses Ariana likely took as a musical theater major included:

• Acting for singers
• Dance styles like jazz, tap, hip hop
• Vocal training
• Music theory
• Theater history
• Script analysis
• Movement for actors

The musical theater program at SUNY Purchase prepared Ariana with knowledge across multiple disciplines to help grow her skills as a performer.

How Long Was Ariana at SUNY Purchase?

Ariana Grande only attended SUNY Purchase for one semester. She entered in the fall of 2009 when she was 16 years old. But by early 2010 she had left the school.

Why did Ariana only stay at SUNY Purchase briefly? Her acting and music career simply took off too rapidly for her to balance college and work. Victorious was taking up more of her time. And she was starting to record pop music that would end up on the show’s soundtrack.

So while Ariana had aimed to have a college experience, the quick success in her professional career pulled her away from completing a full degree at SUNY Purchase.

Ariana’s Singing Career Takes Off

Although she spent a short time at SUNY Purchase, these months still had an impact on Ariana Grande. She was growing up and setting herself on a path in the performing arts.

After leaving college in early 2010, Ariana’s singing career accelerated quickly:

• She recorded several songs for the Victorious soundtracks in 2010 and 2011.
• Ariana released her debut single “Put Your Hearts Up” in December 2011.
• She really broke out with her first full studio album Yours Truly in August 2013, featuring the hit “The Way.”
• Ariana’s next two albums, My Everything (2014) and Dangerous Woman (2016) cemented her as a top pop star.

So within just a few years of leaving SUNY Purchase, Ariana Grande had already emerged as a major force in pop music. She had clearly found her path and success without needing to complete her college degree.

Where Does Ariana Live Now?

Today, Ariana Grande bases herself primarily out of Los Angeles, where she owns a home. This allows her easy access to recording studios, video shoots, and all parts of the entertainment industry.

She also still maintains a residence in her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida. Ariana visits Florida to see family and spend time along the southeast coast.

In both California and Florida, Ariana has purchased lavish real estate. Her homes reflect her megastar status with amenities like home gyms, movie theaters, and luxury pools.

While still only in her late 20s, Ariana Grande has already accomplished enough career success to last a lifetime. But by all indications, she plans to keep making music and entertaining fans for many years to come.

Ariana’s Advice to Fans on Education

Despite leaving college to pursue her passions, Ariana Grande understands that education is still important for her young fans. In interviews, she has shared thoughts on how teenagers can balance education and their dreams:

• “School is so important. But if you really want something – like a career in the arts – you have to go for it 110 percent.”
• “Never give up on your dreams. With hard work, anything is possible. But it takes a lot of dedication and sacrifice.”
• “Appreciate your teachers. They really want to see you succeed in life.”
• “Education gives you so many options for the future. It’s important even if you want a career as a performer.”
• “Take time to grow and figure out your path. It’s not always a straight line to success.”

Ariana knows that stardom took hard work, focus, and even some difficult choices. She encourages fans to think carefully about their education and future goals.

Conclusion

In summary, Ariana Grande attended SUNY Purchase for one semester in 2009-2010 to study musical theater. Her rapidly growing music and acting career pulled her away from completing a full college degree.

However, Ariana remains appreciative of the education she received and encourages young fans to value their academics. Through exceptional natural talent and dedication, Ariana proved that college was not the only path to achieve her dreams. She continues to thrive as one of pop music’s reigning superstars.

Ariana Grande’s College Timeline:

• 2009: Accepted to SUNY Purchase at age 16
• Fall 2009: Begins attending as a musical theater major
• 2010: Leaves SUNY Purchase after 1 semester
• 2010-2011: Releases Victorious soundtrack songs
• 2011: Drops debut single “Put Your Hearts Up”
• 2013: Releases debut album Yours Truly
• 2013-Present: Ariana Grande becomes one of the top pop singers in the world

Frequently Asked Questions About Ariana Grande and College

Where did Ariana Grande go to college?

Ariana Grande attended Purchase College, State University of New York (SUNY Purchase) starting in fall 2009. She studied musical theater but only completed one semester before leaving to focus on her acting and singing career.

Why did Ariana Grande choose SUNY Purchase?

SUNY Purchase appealed to Ariana because of its strong performing arts programs, small class sizes, location near NYC, and ability to continue acting while in school. The musical theater major allowed her to take classes in singing, dancing, and acting.

How long was Ariana Grande in college?

Ariana Grande was only enrolled at SUNY Purchase for one semester in fall 2009. By early 2010, her budding music and television career required her full attention, leading her to leave the school.

Did Ariana Grande graduate from college?

No, Ariana Grande did not graduate from college. She left SUNY Purchase after just one semester to concentrate fully on acting roles and her singing career.

What did Ariana study in college?

At SUNY Purchase, Ariana Grande was a musical theater major. She likely took classes in acting, vocal lessons, dance, music theory, theater history, and more.

Why didn’t Ariana finish college?

Ariana did not complete her degree at SUNY Purchase because her entertainment career took off rapidly. As she booked more acting roles and recorded songs, she found it impossible to balance both college and work. Her career simply progressed too quickly.

Where does Ariana Grande live now?

Today, Ariana Grande splits her time between luxury homes in Los Angeles and Boca Raton, Florida. Living in LA gives her easy access to the entertainment industry. Boca Raton is Ariana’s hometown where she enjoys spending time with family.

What advice does Ariana have for fans on education?

Ariana encourages fans to appreciate their education. She asks them to follow their dreams 110% but also not give up on academics, which provide options. Ariana advises young people to listen to teachers and take time to figure out their ideal path.