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New York University
New York University is a private research university woven into Greenwich Village and a global network of campuses — it has no traditional walled quad, so the city itself functions as the campus. Among the most sought-after universities in the country, NYU admits roughly 9% of its 113,000-plus applicants, and enrolled first-years post middle-50% SAT scores of 1480–1550 alongside an average high school GPA near 3.81. It is best known for the performing and visual arts — its single largest degree area — as well as business and the social sciences, and it now pledges to meet the full demonstrated financial need of its first-year students. The figures below are drawn directly from NYU's official Common Data Set.
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NYU admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
NYU offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Standardized Tests
NYU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How NYU weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from NYU's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about NYU admissions
Is it hard to get into NYU?＋
Yes, NYU is highly selective. It admitted about 9.4% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing more than 113,000 applications and enrolling roughly 5,800 first-year students. Admission is holistic: the rigor of your high school record, your academic GPA, your application essay, recommendations, and personal qualities are all weighed as very important.
What GPA do you need to get into NYU?＋
There is no hard cutoff, but enrolled first-years at NYU report an average high school GPA of about 3.81. Academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so a strong, challenging transcript matters more than hitting a single number.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for NYU?＋
A 1490 is competitive: it sits just above the 25th-percentile score of 1480 for enrolled first-years, whose middle 50% scored between 1480 and 1550 on the SAT (33-35 ACT). NYU is test-optional, so a score in this range can help but is not required to be considered.
Does NYU require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. NYU has a flexible, effectively test-optional policy, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores and still receive full consideration. If you do submit, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1480-1550 on the SAT and 33-35 on the ACT, and standardized test scores are weighed as an important factor.
How much does NYU cost, and does it meet full financial need?＋
Undergraduate tuition is about $62,796 a year, before required fees, food, and housing (on-campus food and housing runs roughly $23,530). About 29% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, the average first-year aid package is around $66,624, and NYU now pledges to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for first-year students.
What are the most popular majors at NYU?＋
The visual and performing arts are NYU's single largest degree area at about 17%, reflecting programs like Tisch, followed by the social sciences (~14%), business and marketing (~12%, anchored by Stern), and computing (~8%). NYU is best known for that arts strength alongside business and the social sciences.
Does NYU have Early Decision, and is it binding?＋
Yes. NYU offers binding Early Decision in two rounds, ED I and ED II, both of which commit you to enroll if admitted. NYU does not offer a non-binding Early Action plan, so the early path at NYU is a binding commitment.
Does the application essay matter at NYU?＋
Yes. NYU rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, on the same tier as your GPA, course rigor, recommendations, and personal qualities, and above standardized test scores. With admission this competitive, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out.
Source: New York University Common Data Set 2023-2024. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with NYU. Banner photo by InSapphoWeTrust, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).