The question of where Barron Trump would pursue higher education has been a topic of public interest, given his family’s background and prominence. As the youngest son of former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, Barron Trump’s decision to attend New York University (NYU) marks a departure from a notable family trend. With spring 2025 classes on the horizon at NYU, let’s delve into Barron’s choice and explore the educational paths of the Trump family.
Barron Trump, son of Donald and Melania Trump, standing tall next to his mother.
Barron Trump, born in 2006, spent his formative years in New York City. After graduating from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, in May 2024, he opted for NYU, breaking away from the educational paths taken by his older siblings and father, who have strong ties to the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University.
While Donald Trump and his elder children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, have connections to the University of Pennsylvania, and Georgetown University also features in the family’s educational history, Barron chose a different direction. Tiffany Trump also shares an alma mater with her father, having attended the University of Pennsylvania before pursuing law at Georgetown.
His parents have not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind Barron’s choice of NYU. However, the university’s main campus is situated in Manhattan, a borough where Barron spent a significant portion of his childhood, suggesting a possible inclination towards familiar surroundings. This return to New York for his college years brings him back to the city he called home before his father’s presidency.
The Trump Family’s College Choices: A Closer Look
To understand the context of Barron’s decision, it’s helpful to examine where other members of the Trump family pursued their higher education.
Donald Trump: University of Pennsylvania
Former President Donald Trump is a proud alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. He graduated in May 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, laying the foundation for his future career in business and real estate.
Melania Trump: University of Ljubljana
Former First Lady Melania Trump’s academic journey began at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, the country’s oldest and largest university. Enrolling there, then known as Melania Knauss, she attended for a year before leaving to embark on her international modeling career. Her pursuit of modeling took her to Milan and Paris before she eventually settled in New York in 1996.
Donald Trump Jr.: University of Pennsylvania
Following in his father’s footsteps, Donald Trump Jr. also graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 2000, continuing the family’s association with this prestigious institution.
Ivanka Trump: University of Pennsylvania & Georgetown University
Ivanka Trump initially began her college education at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. After two years in Washington, D.C., she transferred to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics from UPenn.
Eric Trump: Georgetown University
Eric Trump chose Georgetown University for his higher education. In 2006, he graduated from the McDonough School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance and management, adding another Georgetown connection to the Trump family.
Tiffany Trump: University of Pennsylvania & Georgetown University
Tiffany Trump followed a similar path to her sister Ivanka, first attending the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2016. She later pursued a law degree at Georgetown Law School, graduating in 2020.
Barron Trump: New York University
Barron Trump’s enrollment at New York University’s Stern School of Business marks a new chapter in his academic life. Starting classes in September 2024, he is anticipated to graduate as part of the class of 2028. His choice of NYU places him in the heart of Manhattan, offering a different college experience compared to the Pennsylvania and Georgetown experiences of his siblings.
Trump University: Setting the Record Straight
It’s important to distinguish between the universities attended by the Trump family and Trump University. Trump University, which operated from 2005 to 2010, was not a traditional university but rather a for-profit real estate seminar program. It faced legal challenges and settlements due to claims of misleading students. It is not related to the accredited universities where the Trump family members obtained their degrees.
Conclusion
Barron Trump’s decision to attend New York University sets him on a unique path within his family’s educational narrative. While many Trump family members have strong ties to the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown, Barron is forging his own experience in the vibrant academic environment of NYU in New York City. His choice reflects a personal decision, potentially influenced by his upbringing in Manhattan, as he embarks on his college journey at the Stern School of Business.
