Manhattanville College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, located in Purchase, New York. Founded in 1841 it was known in initially as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. Manhattanvilles mission is to "educate students to become ethically and socially responsible leaders for the global community."

Approximately 1,700 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students attend Manhattanville. Renowned for its commitment to diversity, Manhattanville students come from 76 countries and 48 states. In accordance with the colleges Portfolio System, which is the nations oldest such system, undergraduate candidates must present: a freshman year assessment essay, a study plan outlining all course work counted toward the degree, a program evaluation essay giving both a rationale for course choices and an evaluation of the course, and specific examples of work in writing and research.