If you’ve been following Tariq St. Patrick’s chaotic journey from innocent son to drug kingpin in Power Book II: Ghost, you have likely found yourself wondering about the backdrop of all that drama. The campus looks prestigious, the professors are intense, and the vibe is undeniably authentic.
So, is Stansfield University real?
The short answer is no. You cannot fill out an application, tour the dorms, or sign up for Canonical Studies at Stansfield. It is a fictional institution created specifically for the Power universe. However, the showrunners did an incredible job making it feel grounded in reality by using actual locations and drawing inspiration from very real New York universities.
Here is everything you need to know about the fake college that feels surprisingly real.
The Verdict: Stansfield University Real or Fake?
Despite how convincing the architecture and the academic syllabus seem, Stansfield University is fake.
In the show, the university serves as the primary setting where Tariq attempts to balance his rigorous education with his illicit family business. The writers needed a setting that conveyed high stakes and elite status without being tied to the legal or branding restrictions of a real-world university.
If the show had used a real name like Columbia or NYU, the university administration would likely have objected to storylines involving on-campus drug rings, murders in dorm rooms, and corrupt professors. Inventing Stansfield allowed the creators of Power Book II: Ghost total narrative freedom.
The Real-World Inspirations
Even though the name is made up, the “soul” of the school is based on facts. The creators clearly modeled Stansfield after New York City’s Ivy League and elite liberal arts colleges.
When fans ask, “Is Stansfield University in Power series real?” they are often reacting to the distinct aesthetic of the campus. The brick buildings, the manicured quads, and the lecture halls scream “old money” and academic prestige.
Most viewers draw parallels to Columbia University. Both are set in New York City, both act as hubs for the elite, and both have highly competitive admissions standards. The show captures that specific high-pressure NYC academic environment perfectly.
Where Was Stansfield University Filmed?
This is where the line between fiction and reality gets blurry. While the university name isn’t real, the bricks and mortar are. To answer the question “Is Stansfield University a real college” visually? Yes, it is a collage of real campuses.
The production team used several locations to stitch together the Stansfield campus:
Wagner College: Located on Staten Island, this is a primary filming location. Many of the exterior shots of the campus grounds you see in Power Book II: Ghost were filmed here.
Lehman College: Situated in the Bronx, this CUNY school has also been used to flesh out the university setting.
Soundstages: Many of the interior shots, specifically dorm rooms and specific offices, are likely sets designed to accommodate cameras and lighting.
Using Wagner College gave the show that secluded, leafy campus feel, while still being close enough to the city to make Tariq’s trips to Manhattan believable.
Power Book II Ghost Stansfield University Facts
If you are a superfan looking for the lore behind the location, here are a few Power Book II Ghost Stansfield University facts established in the script:
Location: The fictional school is located in Queens, New York.
Curriculum: The show highlights a specific program called “Canonical Studies,” which Tariq joins to get closer to his professors. While the program is fictionalized for drama, it mirrors real “Great Books” or Western Canon curriculums found at schools like St. John’s College or Columbia.
Reputation: Within the Power universe, Stansfield is Ivy-adjacent. It is the kind of place where the rich and powerful send their kids, which explains why Tariq rubs elbows with royalty and politicians’ children.
Comparison: Stansfield vs. Real NYC Colleges
| Feature | Stansfield University | Columbia University | Wagner College |
| Status | Fictional | Real (Ivy League) | Real (Private) |
| Location | Queens (In Show) | Manhattan | Staten Island |
| Acceptance | Highly Selective | ~3.9% | ~70% |
| Visuals | Filmed at Wagner/Lehman | Historic City Campus | Green, Suburban feel |
Key Takeaways
Is Stansfield University real? No, it is a fictional university created for the show.
Filming Locations: The visual look of the campus is largely provided by Wagner College in Staten Island and Lehman College in the Bronx.
Inspiration: The school is modeled after elite NYC institutions like Columbia University to convey prestige.
Narrative Purpose: Using a fake school allows the writers to depict crimes on campus without legal backlash from a real university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Canonical Studies” program real?
While the specific “Canonical Studies” program Tariq enrolls in is a plot device, it is based on real academic structures. Many universities have “Western Canon” or “Great Books” programs where students focus on classic literature and philosophy.
Can I visit the Stansfield University campus?
You can visit the filming locations! Wagner College and Lehman College are real campuses. However, you won’t find any “Stansfield” signage or Tariq’s dorm room there.
Why didn’t they just use NYU or Columbia?
Liability. Universities are protective of their brands. A show about a drug-dealing student murdering people on campus is not the kind of publicity Columbia University wants. Using a fictional name solves this legal headache.
Where is Stansfield supposed to be located?
In the show’s dialogue and map references, Stansfield is situated in Queens, New York, placing it just across the river from the main action in Manhattan.
Final Thoughts
While you can’t get a degree from Stansfield, the school is arguably one of the most important characters in Power Book II. It represents the legitimate world Tariq is trying to enter, constantly clashing with the criminal world he can’t seem to escape.
So, the next time you see that picturesque campus on screen, remember: it’s a Hollywood magic trick using real locations to tell a fictional story.
