New York University
New York, New York, United States · Established 1831
Official website ↗Total Students
59,200
Intl. Students
36%
Student:Faculty
8:1
Setting
Urban
Overview
New York University was founded in 1831 as a nonsectarian alternative to the religiously affiliated colleges of its era, and has grown into one of the largest private research universities in the United States, with its main campus woven directly into Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan rather than occupying a traditional enclosed campus. NYU has no central quad or gates in the conventional sense; classroom buildings, residence halls, and Washington Square Park itself function as the university's shared campus space, making NYU one of the most distinctly urban university experiences among major US research universities. NYU is organized into 10 undergraduate schools and colleges -- including the College of Arts and Science, the Tandon School of Engineering, the Stern School of Business, and the Tisch School of the Arts -- alongside a large number of graduate and professional schools. It is also one of the most globally networked US universities, operating full degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai alongside more than a dozen study-away sites worldwide, a structure NYU calls its 'Global Network University.' NYU is particularly well known for film and the performing arts (Tisch), business and finance (Stern), and law, and its Greenwich Village location gives students direct access to Wall Street, Broadway, and one of the world's largest media and publishing industries. For prospective international students, NYU enrolls one of the largest international student populations of any US university and does not set a single hard-cutoff minimum score for IELTS or TOEFL admission -- it requires a score be submitted, but evaluates it holistically alongside the rest of the application, with the university describing scores around IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 100, or Duolingo 130 as competitive rather than as pass/fail minimums. NYU's admission has become increasingly selective in recent years, admitting under 8% of applicants for its most recent first-year class.
Rankings
US News National Universities
#32 (2026)
US News Best Graduate Schools · Best Business Schools (Full-Time MBA, NYU Stern)
#6 (2026)
QS World University Rankings · MBA (NYU Stern, Global)
#17 (2026)
Admissions, Requirements & Costs
Requirements, deadlines, and test-score cutoffs differ significantly between undergraduate and graduate/Master's programs — shown separately below.
Undergraduate
Acceptance Rate
7.7%
Application Fee
$85
Documents required: Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application, School Report and counselor recommendation, Teacher recommendation letter, Official high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores (test-optional; only around a third of the Class of 2029 submitted scores), English Language Proficiency test score for applicants whose first language is not English (no hard minimum, but competitive scores are described), Application Fee or Fee Waiver Request
| Term | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | November 1 (Early Decision I, binding) | Early Decision |
| Fall | January 1 (Early Decision II, binding) | Early Decision |
| Fall | January 5 | Regular Decision |
Test Scores
SAT Range
1480–1550
ACT Range
34–35
IELTS notes: NYU does not publish a hard pass/fail IELTS minimum for admission; a score is required from applicants whose first language is not English, and 7.5 overall is described as a competitive benchmark rather than a strict cutoff.
TOEFL notes: For tests taken on or before 20 January 2026, competitive applicants score 100 or above on the legacy 0-120 scale; for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (ETS's new 1-6, CEFR-aligned scale), competitive applicants score 5.0 or above overall and on each subscore. NYU does not publish this as a hard admission cutoff.
Accepted tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Pearson PTE, Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency), Duolingo English Test
Waiver: A test score is not required if English is the applicant's native/first language, or in certain cases involving several years of education at an English-medium secondary school -- check NYU's English Language Testing page for the exact current exemption criteria.
Tuition (Intl.)
$68,576
Tuition (Domestic)
$68,576
Living Expenses/yr
$32,422
Total Cost of Attendance
$100,998
Scholarships
NYU need-based grant aid
Varies by demonstrated need; can cover up to full tuition (and more for lower-income families)
NYU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted first-year undergraduates on the New York campus, and families with income under USD 100,000 and typical assets pay no tuition.
Eligibility: Available to admitted first-year students who apply for aid; NYU's undergraduate admission for the New York campus is need-aware for a portion of the applicant pool -- confirm current-cycle policy for international applicants specifically
Wagner and college-specific merit scholarships
Varies considerably by award
A rotating set of school- and college-specific merit scholarships (e.g. within Stern, Tisch, and Tandon) awarded automatically as part of the standard admissions review.
Eligibility: Automatically considered for admitted applicants to the relevant school; no separate application required for most awards
Popular Programs
Gabble Prep Insights
Where applicants lose points: Because NYU sets no hard English-test cutoff but does require submission, applicants sometimes underestimate how much the essay and supplemental writing (rather than the language test) drives the decision -- Writing quality across the Common App essay and NYU's own supplement matters more than clearing a specific test threshold.
International applicants near the competitive benchmarks (IELTS 7.5 / TOEFL 100) but with uneven section performance should not assume a strong overall score compensates for weak Writing, since NYU's writing-heavy programs (Tisch, Journalism, Gallatin) weight admissions essays unusually heavily relative to test scores.
Acceptance rate (7.7%) and SAT/ACT ranges reflect NYU's own published Class of 2029 statistics; NYU is test-optional and only about a third of enrolled first-years submitted scores, so these ranges reflect self-selected score-submitters rather than the full admitted class. Tuition (USD 68,576) is the 2026-27 rate for most undergraduate schools -- Stern, Tisch, and Tandon set their own, generally somewhat different, tuition and fee levels. Total cost of attendance (USD 100,998-107,748 depending on school; the lower end is used here) is NYU's own published on-campus estimate.
Recommended prep timeline: 8 weeks
Graduate (Master's & PhD)
Application Fee
$115
Documents required: Statement of purpose, Academic transcripts from all institutions attended, Letters of recommendation (typically 2-3), GRE or GMAT scores (required for the Stern MBA; most GSAS master's/PhD programs do not require either), TOEFL or IELTS scores (required for most graduate programs unless exempted), Resume/CV, Application fee or fee waiver request
| Term | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Varies considerably by school and program; GSAS deadlines commonly fall between December and January, Stern MBA runs several staged rounds through the cycle | Regular Decision |
Test Scores
Avg. GMAT
737
IELTS Minimum
7 (Gabble rec. 7.5)
TOEFL Minimum
100 (5 new scale) · Gabble rec. 100 (5 new scale)
IELTS notes: Requirements vary by school; most GSAS master's and PhD programs expect at least 7.0 overall, while some professional programs set a higher bar. Always check the specific program's admissions page.
TOEFL notes: Most GSAS graduate programs expect at least 100 overall on the legacy 0-120 scale; ETS's new 1-6 CEFR-aligned scale (for tests from 21 January 2026 onward) maps this to roughly 5.0. Some professional programs set a higher bar -- always check the specific program's page.
TOEFL scores shown as: legacy 0–120 scale (new 1.0–6.0 CEFR-aligned scale, effective Jan 2026).
Accepted tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test
Waiver: Requirements and waiver eligibility vary considerably by individual graduate school and program; a test is generally waived for applicants whose prior degree was earned at an English-medium institution, but each school confirms this independently.
Tuition (Intl.)
$47,862
Tuition (Domestic)
$47,862
Living Expenses/yr
$32,422
Total Cost of Attendance
$80,284
Scholarships
GSAS Graduate School Fellowships and Assistantships
Varies by award; full funding (tuition plus stipend) for a portion of PhD admits
A range of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships administered through NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science, funding tuition and/or a stipend for PhD and some master's students.
Eligibility: Awarded competitively as part of the standard admissions review; applies equally to international students
NYU Stern MBA merit scholarships
Varies considerably by award
Merit-based scholarships awarded to admitted Stern MBA candidates as part of the standard application review.
Eligibility: Automatically considered for all admitted MBA applicants
Popular Programs
Gabble Prep Insights
Where applicants lose points: Writing carries particular weight for research-oriented and Tisch/Journalism applicants, since a tightly argued statement of purpose, portfolio materials, or writing samples are scrutinized closely alongside academic record and, where required, test scores.
Applicants to quantitative programs (Courant, Tandon engineering) tend to clear Reading and Listening comfortably but sometimes underprepare Speaking for seminar-style graduate teaching, while Stern MBA and Tisch applicants -- who face a more holistic, portfolio- or interview-inclusive process -- typically need broader preparation across all four skills.
NYU does not publish one official university-wide graduate acceptance rate, so that field is left null. GMAT avgScore (737) reflects the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2027 specifically, a program record high, not a university-wide figure. Graduate tuition (USD 47,862/year) uses GSAS's published flat-rate figure as a representative figure; professional schools (Stern MBA, Law, Tisch) set substantially different, often higher, tuition. NYU's 2026-27 GSAS living-expenses figure was not published at time of writing, so the undergraduate New York City living-cost estimate is reused here as an approximation -- confirm the current GSAS Cost of Attendance page directly.
Recommended prep timeline: 10 weeks
Programs Offered
BS in Business (Stern)
Undergraduate · 4 yr · $68,576/yr
BFA in Film and Television
Undergraduate · 4 yr · $68,576/yr
BA in Economics
Undergraduate · 4 yr · $68,576/yr
MBA
Masters · 2 yr
MFA in Film and Television
Masters · 3 yr
MS in Computer Science
Masters · 2 yr
JD
Certificate · 3 yr
PhD (various departments)
PhD · 5 yr · $47,862/yr
Campus Life
NYU has no traditional enclosed campus -- Washington Square Park and the surrounding Greenwich Village streets function as its shared public space, and student life is consequently deeply woven into New York City itself rather than centered on a self-contained quad. With more than 300 registered student clubs and NYU's Global Network University model, students routinely study for a semester at one of NYU's international sites (including its full degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai) as part of ordinary undergraduate life. NYU enrolls one of the largest and most diverse international student populations of any US university, supporting an unusually large number of country- and region-specific student organizations.
Notable clubs: Washington Square News (independent student newspaper), NYU Model United Nations, NYU Bobcat Emergency Squad, NYU Third North / residence-hall communities, Over 20 club and intramural sports leagues plus NCAA Division III varsity teams
Outcomes
Undergraduate
Graduation Rate
87%
Graduate
Notable Alumni
Martin Scorsese — Academy Award-winning film director; BFA and MFA in Film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Spike Lee — Film director and producer; MFA in Film Production from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Alan Greenspan — Former Chair of the US Federal Reserve (1987-2006); PhD in Economics from NYU
Frederick Reines — Nobel laureate physicist (1995, discovery of the neutrino); PhD from NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science
Adam Sandler — Actor and comedian; BFA in Film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Visa Interview Prep
NYU's Office of Global Services (OGS) issues Form I-20s and supports F-1 visa applicants across NYU's New York schools. NYU also operates full degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai with their own, separate visa/immigration processes for students who enroll there rather than in New York. As with other large US universities, applicants should begin the SEVIS/I-20 and embassy interview process as early as possible after accepting an offer, given known visa-appointment backlogs in some countries.
- Clarity on the specific program and why NYU specifically, over comparable options
- Demonstrating strong ties and credible intent to return home after studies
- Financial sufficiency and clear documentation of funding sources
- Consistency between academic background and chosen field of study
FAQs
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need to apply to NYU as an undergraduate?Undergrad
NYU does not publish a hard minimum score -- it requires a test from applicants whose first language is not English, but reviews the result holistically. NYU describes IELTS 7.5, TOEFL iBT 100 (or 5.0 on ETS's new 1-6 scale for tests from 21 January 2026), or Duolingo 130 as competitive benchmarks rather than pass/fail cutoffs.
Does NYU have a single main campus?
Not in the traditional sense. NYU's Greenwich Village campus is woven directly into New York City around Washington Square Park, with no enclosed quad or gates. NYU also operates full degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, and semester study-away sites at more than a dozen locations worldwide, as part of its Global Network University model.
How competitive is NYU for international applicants?
NYU's Class of 2029 was admitted at an overall rate of about 7.7% (roughly 9,289 admits from over 120,000 applications). NYU is test-optional, and only around a third of enrolled first-years submitted SAT/ACT scores; those who did posted a middle-50% range of 1480-1550 SAT and 34-35 ACT.
Will I need to attend a visa interview to study at NYU's New York campus?
Yes. NYU's New York campus is SEVP-certified and issues Form I-20s for the F-1 student visa, which includes the standard US consular interview process. NYU's Office of Global Services supports applicants through this process, but interview scheduling is set by the US government.
Is the GRE or GMAT required for NYU graduate programmes?Grad
It depends on the program. Most GSAS master's and PhD programs do not require the GRE, while the Stern MBA requires GMAT or GRE scores -- the Class of 2027 posted a record average GMAT of 737. Always confirm the specific program's current testing policy.
What is NYU's undergraduate tuition and total cost of attendance?Undergrad
For 2026-27, tuition for most NYU undergraduate schools is USD 68,576/year, with a total published cost of attendance (including housing, food, and other costs) ranging from roughly USD 100,998 to 107,748/year depending on the specific school, before financial aid.
Is NYU need-blind for undergraduate admissions?Undergrad
NYU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted first-year students on the New York campus and offers free tuition to families earning under USD 100,000, but its undergraduate admission process is need-aware for a portion of the applicant pool rather than fully need-blind -- confirm the current-cycle policy for international applicants specifically.
What are NYU's most well-known programs?
NYU is particularly well known for film and the performing arts through the Tisch School of the Arts, business and finance through the Stern School of Business, and law through NYU School of Law, all of which benefit directly from NYU's location in the heart of New York City's media, finance, and legal industries.
Can I get conditional admission to NYU if my English score is below a competitive level?
NYU does not publish a formal conditional-admission or English-bridge program tied to first-year undergraduate admission. Since NYU evaluates English scores holistically rather than against a hard cutoff, a below-benchmark score is weighed alongside the rest of the application rather than triggering an automatic denial or conditional offer.
How many weeks should I spend preparing for IELTS or TOEFL before applying to NYU?
A realistic window is 6-8 weeks of focused preparation to comfortably clear NYU's competitive benchmarks (IELTS 7.5 / TOEFL 100), with particular attention to Writing given how closely NYU's supplemental essays and, for Tisch/Journalism applicants, portfolio materials are reviewed.