New York University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
New York, New York · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional (AP/IB accepted)
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- 114,125
- Applicants
- 10,340
- Admitted9%
- 5,662
- Enrolled
- 55%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Most selective9% admittedRanked #31 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #52 (tie), Business Programs #4 (tie), Computer Science #44 (tie), Nursing #12 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by New York University (see the source), read on 2026-06-14.
Is New York University a reach, target or safety for your student?
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New York University is a private nonprofit university in New York, New York that admits about 9% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $37,050 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer and Information Sciences, General, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 88% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
New York University is a private institution located in New York, New York and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, New York University admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 9%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1520 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $37,050 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about New York University right now
New York University, chartered by the New York State Legislature in 1831 and founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin, is a private research university whose main campus surrounds Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, with the Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn and graduate schools across Manhattan. NYU is a member of the Association of American Universities and operates portal campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai plus more than a dozen global academic centers, giving undergraduates structured study-away options that few peers offer. Distinctive academic strengths include the Stern School of Business, the Tisch School of the Arts, the Steinhardt School for media and education, and the Courant Institute in mathematics and computer science. For parents, the most important recent development is NYU's continued investment in financial aid: in 2023 the university announced expansions through the Lehman Scholars and AccessNYU programs, and in 2024 it touted record-high aid budgets with admitted-student family income tiers receiving substantially increased grant packages. Application strategy notes worth flagging for families include NYU's Early Decision I and Early Decision II rounds, both binding, and its continued test-flexible policy that accepts SAT, ACT, three AP exams, three IB Higher Level scores, or the IB Diploma. Acceptance rates have continued to fall in recent cycles as application volume rises, so parents should help students plan a balanced list.
What GPA does my child need for New York University?
72% of enrolled students at New York University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.81, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare New York University with the other schools on your list
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What does New York University weight in admissions?
New York University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
5- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Character/personal qualities
Important
1- Standardized test scores
Considered
7- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
5- Class rank
- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores New York University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 760–800, with an EBRW midpoint near 735. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 34–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1480 |
| 50th percentile | 1520 |
| 75th percentile | 1550 |
| % submitting SAT | 27% |
| 25th percentile | 34 |
| 50th percentile | 35 |
| 75th percentile | 35 |
| % submitting ACT | 10% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-flexible: AP, IB or other exam results can stand in for the SAT or ACT.
- • Test-optional through the 2027-28 cycle. If you send scores, pick one type: SAT, ACT, 3 AP, 3 IB HL, IB Diploma or A-Levels. Tisch and some Steinhardt programs need an audition or portfolio.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on New York University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does New York University actually cost?
Published tuition is $62,796 for in-state students and $62,796 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $23,530 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $37,050 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $37,050 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 100% |
| Average need-based grant | $60,191 |
| Average merit award, no financial need126 first-year students received one | $38,420 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 29% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $29,766 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $100 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for New York University
| Regular deadline | 1/5 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 1 |
Will my child graduate from New York University?
These predict outcomes at New York University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at New York University
The most popular undergraduate programs at New York University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Economics. Across all programs, New York University confers roughly 3,888 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer and Information Sciences, General program report a median income of about $149,736 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 604 | $149,736 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 549 | $68,008 |
| Economics | 541 | $105,120 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 530 | n/a |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 431 | $119,854 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 416 | $31,599 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 410 | $69,066 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 407 | $56,749 |
Is New York University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), New York University disclosed 150 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 52 violent offenses and 37 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at New York University?
About 38% of undergraduates at New York University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in New York parents ask about
Next steps for New York University
Common questions parents ask about New York University
What GPA do I need for New York University?
72% of enrolled students at New York University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.81, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does New York University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 760–800, with an EBRW midpoint near 735. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 34–35.
How much does New York University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at New York University after grants and scholarships is $37,050 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $62,796. Budget against the net figure.
Is New York University realistic for my child?
New York University admits 9% of applicants, so 760–800 SAT Math is target range and below 760 is a reach. Then check the $37,050 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at New York University?
New York University accepts about 9% of applicants out of roughly 114,125 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is New York University test-optional?
Yes. New York University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. It is also test-flexible: AP, IB or other exam results can be sent instead of the SAT or ACT. Test-optional through the 2027-28 cycle. If you send scores, pick one type: SAT, ACT, 3 AP, 3 IB HL, IB Diploma or A-Levels. Tisch and some Steinhardt programs need an audition or portfolio.
What is the graduation rate at New York University?
About 88% of students at New York University graduate within six years. 96% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does New York University look for in applicants?
New York University rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is New York University a public or private school, and where is it located?
New York University is a private nonprofit institution located in New York, New York.
What are the most popular majors at New York University?
The largest undergraduate majors at New York University by annual graduates are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Economics. The school awards about 3,888 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is New York University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
New York University reported 150 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at New York University?
At New York University, 38% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by New York University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers