New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research institution located in New York City, New York. It was chartered by the New York State Legislature in 1831 and founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a non-denominational, all-male university near City Hall, offering a curriculum focused on secular education.
The university relocated in 1833 and has since established its main campus in Greenwich Village, surrounding Washington Square Park. Over time, NYU expanded to include an engineering school in Brooklyn’s MetroTech Center and graduate schools throughout Manhattan. NYU is one of the largest private universities in the U.S. by enrollment.
It is highly selective, receiving one of the highest numbers of applications in the country. The main campus is divided into ten undergraduate schools, including the College of Arts & Science, Gallatin School, Steinhardt School, Stern School of Business, Tandon School of Engineering, and the Tisch School of the Arts. NYU also boasts 15 graduate schools, such as the Grossman School of Medicine, School of Law, Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, School of Professional Studies, Silver School of Social Work, and the Rory Meyers School of Nursing.
Additionally, the university is home to prestigious academic centers like the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, the Center for Data Science, and the Institute of Fine Arts, among others. As a global university, NYU operates degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Shanghai (China), along with academic centers in cities such as Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Washington, D.C.
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: Nov. 1
Early Decision II: Jan. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 5
Application Portal
Common Application
QuestBridge Application
Standardized Tests
Optional
Recommendation Letters
1 from a teacher, counselor, coach, supervisor, or anyone else in a position of authority
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 100
IELTS: minimum score 7.5
Duolingo Minimum Score: 120
Interview
Optional
University Specific Requests
None
Application Fee
$80
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Visual and Performing Arts 17%
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Social Sciences 14%
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Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 12%
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Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services 8%
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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 8%
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Health Professions and Related Programs 7%
Popular
Majors
7.7%
Acceptance Rate
118,000 applications for the undergraduate Class of 2028
$5.2 billion endowment
130+ nations represented
140 undergraduate concentrations
6 million books volumes
$1 billion in research budget
Total Students
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White 37%
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Black 5%
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Hispanic 12%
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Asian 22%
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International 22%
Campus
New York University’s (NYU) campus is uniquely integrated into the heart of New York City, offering students an unparalleled urban academic experience. Unlike traditional campuses with defined boundaries, NYU’s facilities are interwoven with the city’s landscape, particularly in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. This integration allows students to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural, artistic, and professional opportunities that the city provides.
The central hub of NYU is the Washington Square campus, anchored by the iconic Washington Square Park. Surrounding the park are key academic buildings, including the Silver Center for Arts and Science and the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, a 12-story facility housing over 4.5 million volumes. The Kimmel Center for University Life serves as a focal point for student activities, offering event spaces, dining options, and meeting rooms. Nearby, Gould Plaza is a popular gathering spot, flanked by the Stern School of Business and the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
NYU’s presence extends beyond Manhattan. The Brooklyn campus, located in the MetroTech Center, is home to the Tandon School of Engineering and features state-of-the-art facilities like the NYU MakerSpace and the Game Center Open Library. This campus fosters innovation and collaboration in engineering, technology, and digital media.
NYU’s campus life is enriched by a plethora of student organizations, cultural events, and traditions. Annual events like the Strawberry Festival and Welcome Week foster community and engagement among students. With its seamless blend of academic rigor and urban vitality, NYU offers a distinctive environment where the city itself becomes an extension of the classroom.
Cost of Attendance
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Tuition $65,622
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Food and Housing $25,516
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Books and Supplies $1,470
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Transportation $2,366
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Personal Expenses $2,014
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Estimated Total Indirect Costs $5,850
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Total $96,988
At NYU, 20% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
New York University has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made lasting impacts across science, politics, entertainment, and sports. In the realm of science and technology, NYU counts Nobel laureates like Gertrude B. Elion, a pharmacologist who helped develop groundbreaking drugs for leukemia and AIDS, and Martin Perl, a physicist who discovered the tau lepton. Innovators like Judy Faulkner, founder of Epic Systems and a leader in healthcare technology, also trace their roots back to NYU.
In politics and public service, NYU has been home to notable figures such as Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, and Carol Bellamy, who served as Director of UNICEF and as President of the New York City Council. John Brademas, a longtime U.S. Congressman and former President of NYU itself, also exemplifies the university’s tradition of leadership in governance and education.
When it comes to entertainment and media, few universities can match NYU’s influence. Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, while global superstar Lady Gaga also studied there before launching her groundbreaking music career. Academy Award winners Philip Seymour Hoffman and Mahershala Ali both honed their craft at NYU, underscoring the university’s reputation as a powerhouse for the performing arts.
In the world of sports, NYU’s legacy includes figures like Joe Namath, the iconic Hall of Fame NFL quarterback who briefly attended NYU, and Paul Tagliabue, former Commissioner of the NFL. Although basketball great Walt Frazier finished his college career elsewhere, his influence is strongly tied to the New York sports scene that NYU students and alumni proudly call home.
The admission rate at NYU is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 7-11%. It is one of the most applied-to universities in the United States.
Not really! Instead of a closed-off campus, NYU’s “quad” is basically Washington Square Park, complete with musicians, chess players, and a giant arch. Your walk to class might include street performers and artists instead of just squirrels and benches!
Yes. NYU is test-optional through at least the 2026–2027 admissions cycle. Applicants can submit SAT, ACT, or a wide range of other test scores (like AP exams or IB diplomas) but are not required to.
Nope — NYU students still have to swipe a MetroCard like everyone else. However, getting around New York City is a rite of passage, and many students say it’s part of what makes the NYU experience unforgettable.
NYU requires one letter of recommendation for undergraduate applicants. Students may submit up to three letters if they feel additional perspectives would strengthen their application.
NYU is particularly renowned for programs in performing arts (Tisch School of the Arts), business (Stern School of Business), law (NYU School of Law), journalism, and international relations. It’s also strong in areas like engineering, social sciences, and the fine arts.
Yes! NYU’s Clive Davis Institute offered a course on Taylor Swift’s career and cultural impact — and it filled up immediately. At NYU, pop culture can be serious academic business.
Not always — NYU housing is often in converted historic buildings and high-rise apartments around Manhattan. Some freshmen live just steps from SoHo or Union Square, making for an ultra-urban college experience unlike any traditional campus!