Co-location refers to an institutional arrangement in which two or more distinct organizations—most commonly postsecondary institutions, but also employers, workforce organizations, or community partners—share physical space or operate in close geographic proximity while maintaining separate governance, accreditation, missions, and identities.

In higher education, co-location is often used as a strategic model to improve institutional sustainability, expand access to facilities and services, strengthen transfer and credential pathways, and better align education with regional workforce and economic development needs. Unlike mergers or consolidations, co-location does not eliminate institutional boundaries; instead, it emphasizes partnership, shared infrastructure, and coordinated operations.
Co-location arrangements may include shared classrooms, laboratories, student services, libraries, or administrative functions, as well as opportunities for cross-registration, joint programming, and employer-connected learning experiences. When implemented effectively, co-location can reduce operating costs, increase enrollment, enhance student outcomes, and reinforce regional talent pipelines—while allowing participating institutions to retain their distinct missions and community roles.

An example of co-location is Clinton Community College’s move to the SUNY Plattsburgh campus in New York’s North Country region. Facing enrollment declines and financial challenges, the community college relocated to the university’s campus while preserving its institutional identity. The co-location improved access to facilities and student services, strengthened healthcare and manufacturing workforce programs through proximity to employers and hospitals, enabled cross-registration, and created clearer pathways from certificates and associate degrees to bachelor’s degrees—benefiting students, both institutions, and the regional economy.

See glossary term: Institutional Merger & Integration Models (Higher Education) | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library