The New School: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Officially Parsons School of Design at The New School · New York, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
63%
Avg SAT
n/a
In-state tuition
$58,694
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$58,741
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #227 (tie) in National Universities; Computer Science #396 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Parsons School of Design at The New School.

Is The New School a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

The New School is a private nonprofit university in New York, New York that admits about 63% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $58,741 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Design and Applied Arts, Computer Software and Media Applications and Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

The New School is a private institution located in New York, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, The New School admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 63%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $58,741 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for The New School?

The New School admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

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SAT and ACT scores The New School typically admits

Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.

Current testing policy
  • • Test-blind: The New School does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • SAT/ACT not required and scores play no part in review. Parsons BFA applicants submit a portfolio.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on The New School's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

How much does The New School actually cost?

Published tuition is $58,694 for in-state students and $58,694 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $25,337 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $58,741 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 15% of students receive Pell Grants.

Average net price (after aid)$58,741
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list

Application deadlines and early decision data for The New School

Regular admission

Most popular majors at The New School

The most popular undergraduate programs at The New School, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Design and Applied Arts, Computer Software and Media Applications and Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. Across all programs, The New School confers roughly 1,255 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Design and Applied Arts program report a median income of about $59,797 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Design and Applied Arts476$59,797
Computer Software and Media Applications174n/a
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management150$78,350
Film/Video and Photographic Arts107$53,471
Music95$23,875
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities90$41,609
Fine and Studio Arts83n/a
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft80$24,596
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is The New School safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), The New School disclosed 13 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
13
2.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
6
0.91 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
5
0.76 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,563 enrolled.

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Common questions parents ask about The New School

What GPA do I need for The New School?

The New School admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What SAT or ACT score does The New School typically admit?

The New School is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does The New School actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at The New School after grants and scholarships is $58,741 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $58,694. Budget against the net figure.

Is The New School realistic for my child?

The New School admits 63% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $58,741 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at The New School?

The New School accepts about 63% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is The New School test-optional?

The New School is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

Is The New School a public or private school, and where is it located?

The New School is a private nonprofit institution located in New York, New York.

What are the most popular majors at The New School?

The largest undergraduate majors at The New School by annual graduates are Design and Applied Arts, Computer Software and Media Applications and Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. The school awards about 1,255 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is The New School safe? What is its campus crime rate?

The New School reported 13 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Parsons School of Design at The New School, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers