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Introduction to NYU
New York University (NYU) is one of the top educational institutions in the USA. Being one of the premium private research universities in New York City, it attracts students worldwide. Unlike the New York City campus, NYU has overseas campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. If you are aware of the NYU acceptance rate, then it will help you formulate your admission strategy.
History & Stats of NYU
The establishment of NYU resulted from the charter of 1831 by the state legislature of New York. The university was founded by the then Treasury Secretary, Albert Gallatin, who led a group of New Yorkers to lay the foundation for the university. The first classes began in 1832 near the City Hall, and in 1833, they shifted to Greenwich Village. The university has added an engineering school (Tandon School of Engineering) in Brooklyn’s MetroTech Centre and Graduate schools throughout Manhattan.
Enrolment-wise, it is the largest private university in the USA. As of fall 2023, New York University has 58,226 enrolments, of which 28,772 are UG students. It is also one of the most racially diverse universities in the United States of America. The graduate and professional enrolments were around 29,454 in the same duration. It also receives the most applications for any private US university in the country. The admission procedure is also highly selective as compared to other institutions.
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Schools in NYU
There are 11 schools and colleges on the campus. Each of these schools has a distinct purpose, identity, and community. You can choose them as a part of your major program.
- Tisch School of the Arts
- Tandon School of Engineering
- School of Professional Studies
- Silver School of Social Work
- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- Leonard N. Stern School of Business
- Gallatin School of Individualized Study
- NYU College of Arts and Science
- NYU Liberal Studies
- NYU School of Dentistry
As already mentioned above, there are also degree-awarding campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. The university also has multiple academic centers in other countries as well.
NYU Acceptance Rate
There are many pleasing facts about the NYU acceptance rate. You will be amazed to know how welcoming New York University is for students, especially the ones from an international background.
- NYU enrolls more international students than any other college/university in America. Students in the institution have nationalities spanning across 83-plus countries.
- The freshman retention rate is relatively high. Around 90% of the enrolled students are delighted with the quality of education.
- The quality of education is considered at par with the Ivy League institutions. NYU is said to be among the top in the New Ivy League.
Among the premier and private academic institutions in the country, it has the highest acceptance rates in the country. The overall NYU acceptance rate for International students is around 15% among the top-tier universities. Most Ivy League institutions have single-digit acceptance rates.
Not only that, the faculty-to-student ratio in most of the courses is around 1:10, which is quite favorable, with 30 students at the most in a class. The average classes consist of 10-19 students. Around 99% found employment after clearing their courses.
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NYU Acceptance Rate Trends
Year | Applications accepted | Applications received | Admissions acceptance rate |
2027 | 9,600 | 120,000 | 8% |
2026 | 12,810 | 105,000 | 12.20% |
2025 | 12,199 | 95,308 | 12.80% |
2024 | 13,000 | 85,000 | 15.29% |
2023 | 12,307 | 76,919 | 16.00% |
2022 | 15,722 | 75,037 | 20.95% |
2021 | 18,520 | 67,232 | 27.55% |
2020 | 19,000 | 63,702 | 29.83% |
2019 | 18,500 | 60,322 | 30.67% |
2018 | 19,000 | 52,000 | 36.54% |
Comparison With Other Universities
University | Acceptance Rate | Total Applications | Class Size | Special Notes |
NYU | 12.2% | 105,000+ | 6,500 | Largest application pool |
Columbia | 3.9% | 60,000+ | 2,300 | Most selective |
Vanderbilt | 6.1% | 47,000+ | 1,600 | Known for strong pre-med programs |
USC | 12% | 70,000+ | 3,400 | Strong entertainment/arts focus |
Georgetown | 12% | 27,000+ | 1,580 | Smallest applicant pool |
Tufts | 11% | 34,000+ | 1,800 | Known for international relations |
Boston U | 14% | 80,000+ | 3,100 | Urban campus like NYU |
Northeastern | 18% | 90,000+ | 3,000 | Known for co-op programs |
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Language Proficiency Requirements
If you wish to get an education from colleges and universities in the USA as an overseas student whose first language isn’t English, you must submit your English language proficiency results. Also, those applicants whose medium of study in college/university or school wasn’t exclusively English (for at least three years of study) must give IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo tests to secure admission.
Here are the English language proficiency scores for UG and PG schools –
Exam | Undergraduate School | Postgraduate School |
IELTS | 7.5 | 7.0 |
TOEFL iBT | 100 and above | 100 |
Duolingo Test | 125 | – |
PTE | 70 | – |
Cambridge English Scale | 191 | – |
NYU Acceptance Rate 2025 | Early Decision
New York University gives a choice to applicants who wish to apply early at NYU and do not prefer to go anywhere else. Once you apply for early decision admission and get acceptance, you are expected to secure your enrollment and withdraw the rest of your applications. If you don’t cut in the early decision period, you won’t be allowed under the regular decision. NYU has two early decision dates – 1st November and 1st January. It is speculated that the acceptance rate for early decisions is twice that of regular choices. The NYU acceptance rate 2025 for early decision applicants will be approximately 12%.
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NYU Acceptance Rate by Majors
NYU Programs | NYU Acceptance Rate |
Leonard N. Stern School of Business | 7% |
College of Arts and Science | 7% |
Tandon School of Engineering | 35% |
NYU Grossman School of Medicine | 2.7% |
NYU School of Law | 16.8% |
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development | 42% |
Silver School of Social Work | 8% |
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing | 3% |
NYU School of Global Public Health | 35% |
Tisch School of the Arts | 25% |
NYU Transfer Acceptance Rate
The average NYU transfer acceptance rate is 25%. Getting transferred to NYU has multiple advantages. Most of the time, the students who intend to get their degree at a community college at an affordable rate transfer to the university. But you should keep in mind that you need to put in the required hard work to get a good score because the standard of education at NYU is relatively high.
Year | Acceptance rate |
2018 | 25% |
2019 | 22% |
2020 | 41% |
2021 | 25.8% |
2022 | 21.9% |
2023 | 24.63% |
2024 | 24.63% |
When does NYU send Acceptance Letters?
For early decision I (1st November), you will get the acceptance letter on 15th December, whereas for early decision II (1st January), you will get the acceptance letter on 15th February.
For the regular decision (5th January), you will get the decision on 1st April. You can get all the information about NYU in this write-up only.
Tips to Increase Your NYU Acceptance Odds
Picture yourself walking through Washington Square Park, laptop bag slung over your shoulder, heading to your first class at NYU. Sounds impressive, right? Let’s talk about how to turn that dream into reality.
- Academic achievement – First things first, your grades tell a story. Think of your GPA as your academic heartbeat – it must be strong and steady. Those core classes? They’re your foundation. Every A you earn in math, science, English, and other subjects is like adding another brick to your NYU application.
- But here’s the thing – NYU isn’t just looking for students who can ace regular classes. They want to see you push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s like being an athlete – you don’t get stronger by lifting the same weights every day. Challenge yourself with those AP, IB, or honors courses. Each one is like adding another medal to your academic trophy case.
- Standardised test scores – Now, about those standardized tests – yes, they still matter. Think of the SAT or ACT as your academic passport. While a great score won’t guarantee admission, it can definitely open doors. And if English isn’t your first language, those TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores are your way of saying, “I’m ready for the challenge!”
- Extra-curricular activities – But life isn’t just about books and tests, is it? NYU wants to know who you are beyond the classroom. Maybe you’re the debate team captain who also volunteers at an animal shelter. Or perhaps you’re coding apps while playing in a jazz band. These activities aren’t just resume fillers – they’re chapters in your personal story.
- ED Application (early decision) – If NYU is your dream school, consider Early Decision. It’s like telling NYU, “You’re the one!” Just make sure you’re ready for that commitment – both academically and financially.
- Interviews – And if you’re called for an interview? Think of it as your chance to step out of the paper application and come alive. It’s not just about answering questions – it’s about sharing your passion, your dreams, and why NYU is the perfect place for your next chapter.
Remember, getting into NYU isn’t about checking boxes – it’s about painting a picture of who you are and who you want to become. Every grade, every activity, every essay is a brush stroke in that picture. Make it vibrant, make it authentic, make it uniquely you.
Key Takeaways
- NYU is one of the top educational institutions in the USA, with 11 schools and colleges on campus.
- NYU is reputed for maintaining a healthy international-student ratio.
- The university has an extremely low acceptance rate of 13%.
- The transfer acceptance rate differs from the overall acceptance rate and varies with the program.
- Additionally, the acceptance dates for rounds I & II are December 15 and February 15, respectively.
- The overall quality of its course programs is among the top in the world. Their graduates have a high job placement rate with good salaries.
Hopefully, this blog has given you an insight into the NYU acceptance rate. If you have any doubts or queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!
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FAQs
Ques 1: What GPA is required at NYU?
Answer 1: To get admission to NYU, a person should have a GPA of 3.69 or higher.
Ques 2: What are the average SAT and ACT scores to get admission to NYU?
Answer 2: Average SAT scores for NYU are in the range of 1310-1510. The average ACT scores should be in the region of 29-33.
Ques 3: Will NYU accept me with a GMAT score of 680?
Answer 3: International students with a score below 730 on GMAT will receive an admission offer. However, there might be some exceptions to the rule.
Ques 4: Does NYU accept 3-year bachelor’s degrees?
Answer 4: Yes, all three-year bachelor’s degree holders are eligible to apply to NYU.
Ques 5: What is NYU’s acceptance rate in 2028?
Answer 5: According to the acceptance rate trends, NYU acceptance rate for 2028 will be 8% approximately.