NYU's overall acceptance rate has dropped to approximately 8–12% — making it one of the most selective universities in the United States. Its acceptance rate varies significantly across its many colleges, from highly competitive to relatively accessible.
NYU Overall Acceptance Rate (2025–2026)
| Admissions Cycle | Applications | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 (2024 entry) | ~105,000 | ~9,000 | ~8.5% |
| Class of 2027 | ~105,000 | ~11,000 | ~10.5% |
| Class of 2026 | ~105,000 | ~12,500 | ~12.2% |
| Class of 2020 | ~60,000 | ~19,500 | ~32.5% |
NYU's acceptance rate has fallen dramatically — from 32.5% just eight years ago to under 9% — driven by a massive explosion in applications while class size has remained relatively stable.
NYU Acceptance Rate by School (Undergraduate)
| School | Acceptance Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College of Arts and Science (CAS) | ~8–10% | Most competitive undergraduate school |
| Stern School of Business | ~7–9% | Business school; highly competitive |
| Tisch School of the Arts | ~8–12% | Portfolio/audition required for some |
| Tandon School of Engineering | ~20–25% | Less competitive than CAS/Stern |
| Gallatin School | ~15–20% | Self-designed interdisciplinary major |
| Steinhardt School | ~25–30% | Education, psychology, music |
| College of Nursing | ~20–25% | |
| Liberal Studies | ~25–35% | Often used as pathway to CAS |
NYU Stern Business School — Competitive Breakdown
Stern is NYU's most prestigious undergraduate programme and among the top undergraduate business schools nationally:
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| GPA (unweighted) | 3.85 – 4.0 |
| SAT | 1490 – 1570 |
| ACT | 34 – 36 |
| Essays | Stern-specific supplement required |
Stern requires a separate supplement asking about your interest in business and finance. Generic essays fail; specific connections between your background and Stern's finance-focused curriculum succeed.
NYU Graduate Programme Acceptance Rates
| School | Est. Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| NYU Stern MBA | ~18–22% |
| NYU Law (LLM) | ~20–25% |
| NYU Grossman School of Medicine (MD) | ~2–3% |
| NYU Wagner (MPA, MUP) | ~35–45% |
| Tisch School of Arts (MFA) | ~15–20% |
| GSAS PhD (various) | ~8–15% |
| Tandon (MS Computer Science) | ~20–28% |
| NYU Silver School of Social Work | ~40–50% |
Early Decision at NYU
| Round | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I (November) | ~25–30% |
| Regular Decision | ~6–8% |
NYU strongly incentivises Early Decision — the acceptance rate is approximately 3–4x higher for ED applicants, and roughly 40% of each incoming class is admitted through Early Decision.
What Admitted NYU Students Look Like
Academic Profile (CAS and Stern)
| Metric | CAS | Stern |
|---|---|---|
| GPA (unweighted) | 3.85 – 4.0 | 3.90 – 4.0 |
| SAT | 1470 – 1560 | 1490 – 1570 |
| ACT | 33 – 35 | 34 – 36 |
What NYU Values
- Intellectual curiosity — NYU attracts students who are drawn to urban, cosmopolitan intellectual engagement
- Global perspective — NYU's campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai reflect its genuinely global identity
- Creative ambition — particularly for Tisch and Steinhardt applicants
- New York City engagement — not just geographic proximity, but genuine connection to NYC's industries, culture, and communities
International Students at NYU
NYU has one of the highest percentages of international students of any major US university — approximately 20–25% of the student body. NYU actively recruits globally and has partner schools on multiple continents. This makes NYU's admissions process genuinely international-first.
IELTS and TOEFL for NYU
| School | TOEFL Min | IELTS Min | Competitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS (undergraduate) | 100 | 7.5 | 107–120 |
| Stern (undergraduate) | 100 | 7.5 | 107–120 |
| Tandon (undergraduate) | 90 | 7.0 | 100–115 |
| Stern MBA | No min | No min | 109–120 |
| NYU Law (LLM) | 100 | 7.5 | 107–120 |
| GSAS | 100 | 7.5 | 107–120 |
| Tandon (MS) | 90 | 7.0 | 100–115 |
CAS and Stern undergraduate require TOEFL 100 and IELTS 7.5 — with per-section minimums of Writing 25 and Speaking 22 for CAS/Stern.
How to Improve Your NYU Application
-
Apply Early Decision to Stern or CAS — the acceptance rate advantage is substantial (~3–4x). If NYU is your first choice, Early Decision is your strongest lever.
-
Be specific about why NYU, not just "New York" — "I want to be in New York City" is the weakest possible NYU essay. Name specific courses, faculty, programmes, and how NYU's structure fits your goals.
-
For Stern: demonstrate financial interest genuinely — Stern's finance culture is intense. Applicants who have pursued finance-related projects, competitions, or research stand out.
-
For Tisch: the portfolio/audition matters most — for creative programmes, the creative submission outweighs academic metrics.
-
Strong IELTS/TOEFL — CAS and Stern require TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.5 with per-section minimums. A score at the minimum with a weakness in Writing will be noticed.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — NYU CAS and Stern require IELTS 7.5 with Writing section scores meeting 25+ on TOEFL equivalent. AI-powered band-level feedback. Or prepare for TOEFL for the 100+ minimum.