Contents
NYU admission at a glance
You apply to New York University with one Common Application that covers New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Early Decision I closes on November 1, Early Decision II on January 1 and Regular Decision on January 5, and standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term.
NYU does not print a year next to those deadlines. They are the standing dates on the first-year application page, with a cut-off of 11:59 pm in your local time zone. Treat them as the dates for your own application and check the page again when the Common Application opens.
Three rules that catch international applicants out
- Early Decision is binding. NYU states: "you are expected to enroll at NYU" and to withdraw your other applications.
- Non-US citizens can get need-based aid. NYU writes that need-based scholarships are available to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents applying as first-years, and asks for the CSS Profile. NYU's aid pages do not say whether applying for aid affects the admission decision.
- Abu Dhabi and Shanghai are separate campuses. NYU tells applicants to either campus to refer to their specific guidelines; the dates, costs and aid on this page are New York.
The bar and the cost
NYU sets no minimum for tests: standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term, and for English NYU says we don't have minimum score requirements. Read the scores in the testing and English chapters as the level NYU calls competitive, not as a cut-off.
For 2026-2027 NYU lists a total cost of attendance of $100,998 for the College of Arts & Science, of which $68,576 is tuition and fees. This is the 2026-2027 figure, not a figure for 2027 entry.
How big NYU is
The New York City campus is home to 11 schools and colleges. NYU says more than 50,000 students from every corner of the world live and learn across its three campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
NYU rankings and reputation
NYU cites rankings on its own pages without naming an edition. This chapter lists them as NYU states them: #10 for graduate employability in the U.S. (Times HE) and, for Stern, #5 for undergraduate business (U.S. News and World Report).
This report prints no QS, ARWU or U.S. News position for the university as a whole, because none is sourced from the publisher's page. The positions below are NYU's own citations, so check the current publisher table before you rely on them.
NYU gives the position but not the edition for the rankings below, so read each as NYU's own statement and not as a current publisher table position.
| Ranking | Position | Who states it | Edition shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate employability in the U.S. (Times HE) | #10 | NYU | no edition named |
| Undergraduate business (U.S. News and World Report) | #5 | NYU Stern | no edition named |
What NYU says about its schools
NYU Stern states that it is ranked #5 for undergraduate business by U.S. News and World Report. It does not name the edition, and the NYU admissions page only calls Stern one of the highest-ranked undergraduate business schools in the United States. Stern also says its accounting programme is ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. without naming a source.
For nursing, NYU quotes Forbes for an average starting salary of more than $75,000 among Rory Meyers College of Nursing alumni. It is a salary claim that NYU attributes to Forbes, not a ranking position.
Size and network
NYU says More than 50,000 students from every corner of the world live and learn across its three campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
NYU has degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its Why Study Away page describes academic centers in 11 cities; other NYU pages count its sites differently, as the study-away chapter shows.
NYU acceptance rate and first-year profile
This report gives no NYU admit rate and no first-year score profile, because no figure for a class you would join is sourced here, and it does not estimate one. NYU says there are no formulas to admissions decisions, and standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term.
Academic profile of admitted students
NYU publishes no weighting of grades, rigour or tests in the pages this report relies on. It names recommended preparation instead, with English/Writing at 4 years and the other core subjects at 3 to 4 years each (see the next chapter).
International students in the entering class
For applicants from abroad, NYU says all applicants, regardless of citizenship, are held to the same admissions standards, and that it accepts national examinations from over a hundred countries.
Rates by school
This report gives no admit rate for any NYU school. Which school you join is determined by your chosen major or program, so the programme you choose sets the preparation NYU asks for, such as Calculus or, at the very least, Precalculus for Stern.
How NYU selects students
NYU reviews each application as a whole: it says there are no formulas to admissions decisions, and it measures every applicant, first-year or transfer, against the same admissions criteria. It does not interview New York applicants, and it publishes no weighting of the parts of the file.
NYU states that all applicants, regardless of citizenship, are held to the same admissions standards and follow the same general process. Applying from abroad does not change the criteria, only the documents you add, which later chapters cover.
What makes a strong NYU application?
NYU names its recommended preparation, not a checklist of cut-offs. It adds that it will not hold students at a disadvantage if their school did not offer a course.
| Subject | Years NYU recommends |
|---|---|
| English and writing | 4 years |
| History and social studies | 3 to 4 years |
| Mathematics | 3 to 4 years |
| Laboratory sciences | 3 to 4 years |
| Foreign language | 3 to 4 years |
NYU requires one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, supervisor or anyone else in a position of authority. You should send artistic materials only if your program asks for an audition or portfolio, because NYU says it cannot consider other supplemental materials like research papers or photos.
NYU publishes no weighting for grades, rigour, essays, recommendations, activities or tests, so do not read any single part of the file as the one that counts most.
Interviews
For New York the answer is short: NYU does not offer interviews to any candidates. NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai are separate campuses, and NYU tells applicants to either campus to refer to their specific guidelines; do not carry the New York answer over to them.
Choosing a school and programme
The school you join is determined by your chosen major or program. On the NYU member questions of the Common Application you select the school, college, or program that you want to graduate from.
For the New York campus the application update options include Alternate Major Interests for New York Campus. For NYU Shanghai, NYU says to select Shanghai as your Primary campus of interest if it is your first choice and to select it as an alternate if it is your second or third. Tisch adds a second step: it requires an artistic review for all programs.
Waitlist, Early Decision and honesty
NYU grants exceptions to the binding Early Decision commitment when an applicant is not admitted to their first choice NYU school, program, or campus, or when the awarded aid package does not meet enough of the financial need.
NYU says it does not support the use of agents or for-profit organizations in the undergraduate application process and does not use AI detection technology in its review. It also warns that a student found to have used falsified information will have their application, admission, or enrollment status revoked.
NYU SAT, ACT and testing policy
The first-year page says standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term (according to the page as of October 2026). NYU's pages state no minimum SAT or ACT score, for international applicants or anyone else.
If you apply now for entry in autumn 2027, testing is optional: NYU's first-year application page says standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term (according to the page as of October 2026). NYU Shanghai's own page words its testing rule differently, as the end of this chapter shows.
Which tests count if you send one
If you choose to submit testing, NYU names the following.
| Option | What NYU asks for |
|---|---|
| SAT, ACT, AP and IB | NYU names the ACT, SAT, AP, and IB exams and also accepts national examinations from over a hundred countries |
| AP exams | Exam categories NYU recognises: Math or Science; Literature or Humanities; Elective |
| Stern: three AP exams or three IB Higher Level scores | Include one literature or humanities score, one math score, and a score from one test in any subject of your choosing (if you are not an IB Diploma candidate) |
If official exam results are not available, your school may submit predicted scores, and official results must follow once released.
Self-reported scores and official reports
NYU will accept official or unofficial transcripts and test scores for the purposes of its application review. After you submit, you gain access to an applicant portal with your personalized checklist.
Score ranges and what they mean
This report prints no SAT or ACT score range for NYU, because no range is sourced for a class you would join, and NYU's pages state no minimum. NYU does name competitive English-test scores; they are in the English language chapter.
Other campuses
NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai each tell applicants to refer to their specific guidelines. The NYU Shanghai how-to-apply page reads differently from the New York rule: SAT, SAT Subject, ACT, and AP scores must be final at the time of application. Do not apply the New York rule to a Shanghai application without checking Shanghai's own page.
NYU essays and the Common App supplement
NYU requires one letter of recommendation and the Common Application asks for contact details of one person (or, optionally, up to three maximum). NYU's application pages give no New York supplement essay prompt or word limit. Programmes in the arts add an audition or portfolio on top of the Common Application.
NYU's application pages give no essay prompt, word limit or "Why NYU?" question for the New York campus, so this report states none. Read the prompt in your Common Application account before you plan your writing.
One rule applies to every written part. NYU says that applicants may use AI as a tool, but their final application submission should be their authentic creation.
Tisch, Steinhardt and other creative programmes
| School or programme | What NYU says is required |
|---|---|
| Tisch School of the Arts | NYU requires an artistic review for all programs |
| Tisch Film & Television | A Creative Portfolio via SlideRoom (NYU's page names the 2026-2027 cycle) |
| Tisch Cinema Studies | A two-part portfolio submitted directly to the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies; Part One is a five to ten page essay on a film, director, or other moving image topic you choose |
| Tisch Dramatic Writing | A writing portfolio of at least 15 pages and not more than 25 pages |
| Tisch Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music | All applicants must submit a creative portfolio in Slideroom, including a 5-minute sample of your best creative work |
| Tisch Dance, Early Decision I | Callback Audition on November 13, 2026, 9am-12pm ET (NY) (2026-2027 cycle) |
NYU strongly recommends that you submit your application one month in advance for programs with an audition or portfolio. For most applicants, supplemental materials are due within 1 - 2 weeks of the application deadline, and some artistic requirements are due on the deadline itself. Send artistic material only where your program asks for it, because NYU says it cannot consider other supplemental materials like research papers or photos.
Recommendations
For New York, NYU requires one letter and the Common Application asks for contact details of one person (or, optionally, up to three maximum). Your counselor completes the School Report, which includes academic records, predicted testing results, counselor recommendation, school profile, and mid-year report. NYU Shanghai asks for a teacher evaluation instead: one teacher (or two, maximum).
Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision at NYU
NYU takes first-year applications in three rounds: Early Decision I closes on November 1 with a decision on December 15, Early Decision II closes on January 1 with a decision on February 15, and Regular Decision closes on January 5 with a decision by April 1. Both Early Decision rounds are binding.
Application deadlines
NYU's deadline table names no year, so this report attaches none. These are the standing dates for the New York first-year application; the Abu Dhabi and Shanghai campuses publish their own.
The cut-off time is not printed the same way everywhere. The first-year page says 11:59 pm in your local time zone; the Early Decision page says 11:59 p.m EST in your local time zone. NYU Abu Dhabi writes 11:59pm, EST. Submit well before midnight and use the earliest reading. NYU says most students begin in September and that students cannot apply for a spring start.
What Early Decision binds you to
NYU states that if you are admitted through early decision, you are expected to enroll at NYU, to withdraw applications from other schools and not to submit new ones. NYU grants exceptions when an applicant is not admitted to their first choice NYU school, program, or campus, or when the awarded financial aid package does not meet enough of the financial need.
Aid works the same way: NYU says applying for financial aid and the way it determines aid are the same for early decision. Each Early Decision round has its own CSS Profile deadline, shown in the list above.
Portfolio and audition programmes
For programmes with an audition or portfolio, NYU says it strongly recommends submitting the Common Application one month in advance; individual Tisch departments publish their own dates, as the Dance row in the essays chapter shows, and some artistic requirements are due as early as on the application deadline.
NYU Shanghai is different
Do not apply these rules to NYU Shanghai. If Shanghai is your primary campus in Early Decision and you are admitted with an aid package that lets you enroll, you must accept the offer within 25 days. Shanghai's admitted-students page still shows the acceptance deadlines for its Class of 2030, the latest it has published: Early Decision I: January 10, Early Decision II: March 1 and Regular Decision: May 1. Those dates are for that class, not for entry in autumn 2027.
NYU admissions step by step
You apply to NYU on the Common Application only: NYU says all applicants, domestic or international, use the Common Application, and it names no other platform. The fee is $85.00 on NYU's application pages, or a fee waiver on request.
NYU's international page tells you to use your legal name as it appears on your passport or birth certificate.
Application fee and waivers
NYU's application page and fee page both state $85.00, a nonrefundable fee paid online through the Common Application. NYU's Common Data Set 2025-2026 lists $100 instead. The pages disagree, so confirm the amount in your Common Application account before you pay.
Students for whom the fee is a hardship can request a fee waiver on the Common Application. Students affected by an ongoing humanitarian crisis can also request one by selecting "Impacted by Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis".
Documents an international applicant sends
- School report. NYU says it holds everything from your counselor: academic records, predicted testing results, counselor recommendation, school profile, and mid-year report.
- STARS. Every first-year applicant from a high school anywhere in the world is required to provide the STARS, a self-reported academic record that is free and should take roughly an hour.
- Unofficial documents. NYU will accept official or unofficial transcripts and test scores for application review.
- Translations. Include an official English translation if a document is not in English.
- Mid-Year Report. Send the Common Application Mid Year Report with your first semester senior year grades if they are available.
One application, three campuses
One Common Application serves students applying to any or all of NYU's three degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi or Shanghai. Abu Dhabi and Shanghai applicants are told to refer to their specific guidelines, so check each campus's own page for its steps.
After you submit
NYU says that within three weeks of the application deadline it will confirm receipt of your application and give you instructions to track its status. Supporting materials should ideally arrive by the deadline, but late materials can be accepted typically 1 to 2 weeks after the application deadline, within the timeframe shown in your portal.
NYU English language requirements: TOEFL, IELTS and other tests
NYU sets no minimum English score: as of October 2026 its testing page says we don't have minimum score requirements, but competitive applicants have 100 and above on a TOEFL iBT taken on or before January 20, 2026, 5 or above (overall score and subscores) on one taken on or after January 21, 2026, or 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic.
Treat these numbers as the level NYU calls competitive, not as a gate. NYU states no minimum and no school-by-school tiers. NYU frames the other tests the same way, as competitive scores and not minimums: 135 and above on the Duolingo English Test, 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic, 70 and above on the PTE Academic and 191 and above on the Cambridge English Scale.
| Test | Level NYU calls competitive |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT, taken on or before January 20, 2026 | 100 and above |
| TOEFL iBT, taken on or after January 21, 2026 (overall and subscores) | 5 or above |
| IELTS Academic | 7.5 and above |
| Duolingo English Test | 135 and above |
| PTE Academic | 70 and above |
| Cambridge English Scale (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | 191 and above |
NYU takes results from the in-person version or the iBT Home Edition of the TOEFL, the Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. These are the only English language tests we accept.
Who does not need to test
You do not need a test if English is your first language, or if all of your schooling for the three full consecutive academic years prior to the current year were taught entirely in English (excluding world language classes). You need one if English is not your first language and you took any coursework in another language in the 3 most recently completed academic years; in those years any English Language Support coursework (ESL, ELL, IB English B) counts as well. The first-year page words it as at least 3 years of study where English is the sole language of instruction.
When and how to send results
Be ready to submit scores by their application deadline. You can self-report unofficial results or upload unofficial documents to your portal for review. Applicants whose first language is not English generally need a result taken within the last two years.
Your application will not be considered complete until you submit one of the approved tests when the rule applies. NYU does not provide fee waivers for English tests, even if you qualify for an application fee waiver. NYU Shanghai states its own rule: results are required for students whose native language is not English unless English was the sole language of instruction for 3 years.
NYU requirements for IB, A-levels and national diplomas
NYU accepts the IB Diploma, A-levels and national school-leaving exams, and says it accepts national examinations from over a hundred countries. You are eligible to apply as a first-year if you will complete your country's pre-university education (equivalent to U.S. 12th grade) before enrolling.
NYU names the qualification it expects by system. Check which row below matches your school, then read the documents section, because predicted results can open the application but final results are required later.
Predicted and final results
If official exam results are not available, your school may submit predicted scores, and official results must follow once released.
NYU accepts the ACT, SAT, AP, and IB exams and also national examinations from over a hundred countries. The testing chapter covers how to choose among them.
Subjects NYU encourages
For Stern and Tandon, NYU encourages IB students to take either the higher or standard level of Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Higher Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation. Students applying to Stern or to Computer Science or Engineering majors are encouraged to take A-Level Mathematics.
Transcripts, translations and authentication
If your school does not issue a typical transcript, NYU accepts term or semester reports, provisional or promotional examination results, internal grades, or predicted grades. Students from the UK system need only include grades in STARS for 10th grade (GCSE/IGCSE/O-Levels) and A-Level predictions in 12th grade.
Any official document not in English must come with an official English translation, issued by a school official or by a translation agency accredited in the country of the school. NYU will only make exceptions for documents in Mandarin Chinese submitted to NYU Shanghai.
Credit for exams you already hold
- First-year limit. NYU awards up to 32 credits of transfer credit to first-year students.
- AP. Credit is for scores of 4 or 5, on exams taken prior to graduation.
- A-Levels. Maximum amount of 8 credits per A-Level exam with a score of B or better.
- Germany. Abitur: Minimum Score: 10, with credit only for written exams.
- Italy. Esame di Stato (Maturitá): Minimum Score: 13, and students must earn a 90 or higher on the final Maturitá exam to be considered for credit.
- Switzerland. Matura: Minimum Score: 4.5.
- France. Any spécialité exam other than mathematics: minimum score 12, with minimum coefficient of 16.
What to study at NYU: schools, colleges and majors
The New York campus is home to 11 schools and colleges, and the one you join is determined by your chosen major or program. NYU counts more than 270 areas of study, so the choice of programme matters more than the choice of university name.
You do not apply to NYU in general and pick later. On the Common Application you choose a programme, and that choice places you in a school. The table summarises what NYU says about each undergraduate school, using NYU's own words.
| School | What NYU states |
|---|---|
| College of Arts and Science | Our largest undergraduate college, with 90 areas of study |
| Stern School of Business | Apply directly to the BS in Business, the BS in Business and Political Economy, or the Anand Khubani BS in Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship |
| Tisch School of the Arts | Requires an artistic review for all programs |
| Tandon School of Engineering | Located in downtown Brooklyn |
| Gallatin School of Individualized Study | Same tuition and fees as Arts & Science for 2026-2027: $68,576 |
| Steinhardt | Human service professions, including education, health, communication, and the arts (studio art and music) |
| Silver School of Social Work | Includes 700 hours of on-site fieldwork |
| Liberal Studies | First-year away students complete their freshman year at one of four global sites |
| School of Professional Studies | Three programs geared toward traditional undergraduates |
College of Arts and Science (CAS)
The College of Arts and Science is NYU's largest undergraduate college, with a liberal arts and preprofessional curriculum in 90 areas of study. NYU counts areas of study here, not majors, and it states no higher figure for the college.
Stern School of Business
As a high school student you can apply directly to the BS in Business, the BS in Business and Political Economy or the Anand Khubani BS in Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship. Stern states that it is ranked #5 for undergraduate business by U.S. News and World Report, without naming an edition, and calls itself one of the highest-ranked undergraduate business schools in the United States. Applicants should have Calculus or, at least, Precalculus on their transcript.
If you submit 3 AP exam scores or 3 IB Higher Level scores and are not an IB Diploma candidate, Stern asks you to include one literature or humanities score, one math score, and a score from one test in any subject of your choosing. This report gives no admit rate for Stern.
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch requires an artistic review for all programs. The chapter on essays and supplements lists the portfolio material NYU names for individual Tisch programmes.
Tandon School of Engineering
Tandon is located in downtown Brooklyn. Competitive applicants should have Physics, Chemistry, and Calculus (or at least Precalculus) on their transcript.
Gallatin School of Individualized Study
At Gallatin the 2026-2027 tuition and fees are $68,576, the same figure as in Arts & Science. As at every NYU school, the school you join is determined by your chosen major or program.
Wagner, Steinhardt, Silver
Steinhardt covers education, health, communication, and the arts (studio art and music). Nursing applicants should have chemistry on their transcript.
Silver School of Social Work includes 700 hours of on-site fieldwork. Undergraduates meet the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service through programmes such as Social and Public Policy, offered by the College of Arts and Science in conjunction with Wagner.
Liberal Studies and other first-year options
Liberal Studies first year away students can complete their freshman year at one of four global sites, and the School of Professional Studies offers three programs geared toward traditional undergraduates. Any student who wants the first-year away program at London, Madrid or Florence must be 18 before beginning their studies.
Changing school or major
Changing school is an internal transfer. The earliest you can apply is the second semester/term of consecutive full-time study at your current NYU school. Priority deadlines are October 15 for spring entry and March 1 for summer or fall entry. Every programme takes applications for both fall and spring semester, except Stern and select majors in Steinhardt and Tisch.
To change programmes inside your school, contact your current school or college's advising office. Abu Dhabi and Shanghai students who want New York must follow the instructions for home campus transfers; they cannot use the internal transfer application.
At the other degree campuses, NYU Abu Dhabi lists 26 majors and NYU Shanghai 18 majors, and each has its own admissions page.
NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai: the two other degree campuses
NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai are degree-granting campuses of NYU that you reach with the same Common Application as New York, but each has its own admissions page, aid rules and costs. For 2026-2027 NYU's cost of attendance page estimates a total of $90,434 for NYU Abu Dhabi and $91,676 for NYU Shanghai.
NYU tells applicants to either campus to refer to their specific guidelines. Nothing about New York carries over automatically: not the deadlines, not the test rules, not the aid.
| NYU Abu Dhabi | NYU Shanghai | |
|---|---|---|
| Majors | 26 majors | 18 majors |
| Countries in the student body (campus pages) | more than 120 countries | more than 70 countries and 30 provinces in China |
| Tuition in the cost of attendance table | $68,574 | $68,576 |
| Total cost of attendance (estimated) | $90,434 | $91,676 |
How admission works
For Shanghai, NYU says to select Shanghai as your Primary campus of interest if it is your first choice; if you are offered admission to NYU Shanghai as an alternate campus, you will be released from the binding agreement. NYU Abu Dhabi's key dates page prints the same Early Decision I, Early Decision II and Regular Decision dates as New York, with no year stated: Early Decision I November 1 December 15, Early Decision II January 1 February 15 and Regular Decision January 5 April 1, with a cut-off of 11:59pm, EST.
NYU Shanghai's how-to-apply page reads differently. It says SAT, SAT Subject, ACT, and AP scores must be final at the time of application. If you apply to Shanghai as your primary campus in Early Decision and are admitted with an aid package that lets you enroll, you must accept the offer within 25 days. Documents in Mandarin are the one language exception: NYU will only make exceptions for documents in Mandarin Chinese submitted to NYU Shanghai.
Cost and aid on each campus
NYU Abu Dhabi says it accepts applications for financial support from all students, regardless of citizenship, and all grants for non-Emirati citizens are based on financial need. The Abu Dhabi government provides scholarships to all admitted UAE nationals. NYU Abu Dhabi does not re-evaluate for renewable institutional aid in subsequent academic years. The 2026-2027 estimate adds food of $5,800, housing of $6,000 and health insurance of $2,416 to tuition. The bursar schedule for Fall 2026 shows Abu Dhabi undergraduate flat tuition of $34,287 per semester.
NYU Shanghai gives need-based grants to non-Chinese nationals, where eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need from the CSS Profile. Its aid deadlines are Early Decision I applicants: November 10, Early Decision II: January 10 and Regular Decision: February 1.
Shanghai's bursar schedule charges by passport, not by campus alone, and the currency changes. For Fall 2026 flat tuition is ¥231444 per semester for non-US passport holders and non-Chinese nationals, and $34,287 for US passport holders. NYU's cost of attendance page lists Shanghai tuition of $68,576 a year in dollars, so confirm your group's figure with the bursar before you budget.
Size, degrees and selectivity
NYU Shanghai graduates work towards a B.A. or B.S., and the campus reports students from more than 70 countries and 30 provinces in China. NYU's admissions page calls Abu Dhabi the Middle East's first comprehensive liberal arts college, and the campus site says it draws students from more than 120 countries.
This report gives no admit rate or class profile for either campus, because none is sourced here.
Study away at NYU global academic centers
NYU says over 40 percent of its students study away, and its Why Study Away page describes academic centers in 11 cities beside the degree campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai; other NYU pages count them differently. NYU does not name a year for that share.
Study away is not a short trip: according to Open Doors data quoted by NYU, most US students who study abroad spend an average of eight weeks away, whereas NYU students spend at least 16 weeks.
| NYU page | What it says |
|---|---|
| Why Study Away | academic centers in 11 cities |
| Undergraduate admissions page | 12 other major cities beside New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai |
The counts do not match, so use the city list instead. NYU's study-away page names Abu Dhabi, Accra, Florence, Los Angeles, New York, Prague, Sydney, Tulsa, Berlin, Buenos Aires, London, Madrid, Paris, Shanghai, Tel Aviv and Washington, DC.
Starting abroad as a first-year
Two routes let a first-year start away from New York. NYU Liberal Studies first year away students can complete their freshman year at one of four global sites, and anyone considered for London, Madrid or Florence must be 18 before beginning their studies.
For the NYU Global Gateway Program in London, NYU lists a curated set of majors (according to the page as of October 2026; check it again for 2027 entry): Business, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Media, Culture, and Communication, Music Business, Politics. Its application requirements are the same as for our New York Campus. NYU says students who are not UK nationals, or nationals of the countries it lists, will need the IELTS Academic UKVI for visa purposes.
Everyone else
Students admitted to New York are eligible to study abroad once they have reached sophomore status. NYU says there are no foreign language requirements to enroll at any location. Some programmes build it in: NYU Stern's Business and Political Economy major requires two semesters of study away.
NYU's student services team offers support that includes guaranteed housing while you are away. NYU reports nearly $400,000 in study-away funding through scholarships and grants for one semester, and more than 4,000 students, from NYU and from other institutions, enrolled in the global network in one year; its page names neither period.
Career prospects: what NYU graduates do next
NYU reports a mean starting salary of $76,034 for 2024 graduates, and its Internships and Jobs page gives an average starting salary of $78k for graduates with a B.S. or B.A., without naming a year.
Key data
| Measure | Figure | Class or year | NYU page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean starting salary | $76,034 | 2024 graduates | NYU Facts |
| Average starting salary, B.S. or B.A. graduates | $78k | no year named | Internships and Jobs page |
| Graduates with two or more job offers | 51% | no class named | Internships and Jobs page |
The two salary figures come from different pages, and only one names a year, so quote each with its source. A third page says recent NYU bachelor's graduates make about $76,000 per year on average.
NYU says 51% of graduates receive two or more job offers, and cites the Times Higher Education position of #10 for graduate employability in the U.S. without naming an edition.
Career paths by school
This report gives no outcome figures by school. For nursing, NYU quotes Forbes for an average starting salary of more than $75,000 among Rory Meyers College of Nursing alumni, a claim NYU attributes to Forbes.
Wasserman Center and the alumni network
NYU's alumni counts differ by page: the Internships and Jobs page says more than 400,000 alumni members, and the NYU Shanghai page says 500,000 NYU alumni.
Working in the United States after graduation
For F-1 students NYU states that you can get a maximum of 12 months of OPT for each degree level you complete. Graduates of select government-designated STEM fields may apply for a STEM extension of 24 months of additional employment. If you get your degree at an NYU site outside of New York, you are generally not eligible for OPT. The visa chapter covers the process.
Cost of study and living at NYU
For 2026-2027 NYU estimates a New York cost of attendance of $100,998 in the College of Arts & Science, $102,886 in Stern and $107,748 in Tisch. A 2027-2028 figure is not yet published, so this is the latest cost, not the cost of your first year.
Current cost of attendance
| Item | Arts & Science | Stern | Tisch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $68,576 | $70,464 | $75,326 |
| Food and housing | $26,438 | $26,438 | $26,438 |
| Books and supplies | $1,492 | $1,492 | $1,492 |
| Transportation | $2,438 | $2,438 | $2,438 |
| Personal expenses | $2,054 | $2,054 | $2,054 |
| Total cost of attendance | $100,998 | $102,886 | $107,748 |
The food and housing figure assumes a double-occupancy room and a 225 meal per semester "flex" dining plan. The page still says the amounts are not officially approved until July 2026, and a leftover line on it still refers to housing rates for the 25-26 academic year. Treat the numbers as the current estimate, not a final bill.
What the bursar charges
Full-time study is flat-rate: 12 to 18 credits is full-time for most undergraduate programs. For Fall 2026 the bursar schedule shows flat tuition per semester of $34,287 in the College of Arts and Science (the same in Spring 2027), $35,232 in Stern and $37,663 in Tisch. The latest schedule NYU lists is 2026-2027 Tuition and Fees (PDF).
Housing and meal plans
For 2026-2027, a traditional double in Manhattan costs $9,170 per semester in the buildings NYU lists, such as Brittany, Founders and Rubin. The housing rates file is marked PROPOSED HOUSING RATES 2026-2027; rates and information subject to change.
Costs that apply to international students
An international student is anyone who is not a US citizen or Permanent Resident, and NYU says such a student pays $115 for each semester or term registered.
F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the NYU-sponsored student health insurance plan each semester, so add it to your budget. NYU's Office of Global Services tells students to anticipate that all costs will rise approximately 5% for the next academic year and every subsequent year; that is a planning assumption, not a published 2027-2028 price.
NYU financial aid and scholarships for international students
NYU offers need-based aid to international first-years: it says need-based scholarships are available to non-U.S. citizens applying as first-year students, and international applicants complete the CSS Profile. NYU's aid pages do not say whether applying for aid affects the admission decision.
NYU's aid pages for New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai do not say whether applying for aid affects the admission decision, so this chapter makes no claim about it. What NYU does state is narrower and easier to rely on: who can apply for aid, with which form and by which date.
Financial aid: what has changed?
NYU says that applying for financial aid and the way it determines aid are the same for early decision, and that scholarship and grant funding is determined by the results of the CSS Profile for first-year undergraduates.
Forms and deadlines
For New York, international and non-US citizens should complete the CSS Profile, plus New York State TAP if you are a New York resident. The FAFSA is for US citizens, permanent residents and federally eligible non-citizens. NYU says scholarship and grant funding is determined by the results of the CSS Profile for first-year undergraduates.
Scholarships and what they depend on
For non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents applying as first-year students, NYU says need-based scholarships are available and asks you to submit the CSS Profile by the deadline for consideration.
What NYU publishes about aid
NYU Abu Dhabi says scholarships and grants may come from NYUAD, federal programs, or other outside organizations, and NYU Shanghai says its scholarships and grants may come from NYUSH, federal programs, or outside organizations.
Abu Dhabi and Shanghai
These campuses follow their own rules. NYU Abu Dhabi accepts applications for financial support from all students, regardless of citizenship, and its grants for non-Emirati citizens are based on financial need. NYU Shanghai states that for non-Chinese nationals, eligibility for need-based grants is based on demonstrated financial need from the CSS Profile.
Housing at NYU: residence halls in New York
NYU says More than 11,000 NYU students live in 23 residence halls, most in Greenwich Village, and for 2026-2027 a traditional double in Manhattan costs $9,170 per semester. NYU's admissions and housing pages do not state a first-year housing guarantee for the New York campus.
NYU's admissions and housing pages state no guarantee for first-year students in New York. They do say that housing for transfer students is limited and not guaranteed. For a first-year in New York, ask the Housing office what it commits to before you count on a room.
That file is marked PROPOSED HOUSING RATES 2026-2027; rates and information subject to change, and NYU adds that housing rates are reviewed periodically and are subject to annual increases. Treat these as the current price list, not a fixed quote for 2027.
Residence halls
The housing rates above include a Brooklyn hall (Othmer) beside the Manhattan buildings, and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering is located in downtown Brooklyn.
Meal plans
For Fall 2026 NYU lists a minimum meal plan for all first-year students, transfer, and visiting students living in NYU housing.
How and when to apply
You apply for housing after you accept: once you accept your offer of admission and submit your tuition deposit you are prompted for the online housing application and a reservation payment. That payment is $1000 non-refundable/non-transferable. For fall admits, NYU says the application and payment deadline is May 1.
NYU Shanghai
Shanghai is different. All first-year, sophomore and study-away students there are required to live in the Green Center Residence Hall.
Student life at NYU and in New York City
Student life at NYU runs through the city rather than a closed campus: NYU lists 300-plus student clubs and organizations, and most of its 23 residence halls are in Greenwich Village.
What does New York give you?
NYU says More than 11,000 NYU students live in 23 residence halls, most of them in Greenwich Village. The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is located in downtown Brooklyn.
Day to day, NYU points to its 13 on-campus eateries. On sport, NYU says only that varsity athletics, intramural sports, and fitness classes are found throughout campus.
International communities in New York
NYU says more than 50,000 students from every corner of the world live and learn across its three campuses. Look to the student clubs for your own community.
Support for international students
Immigration paperwork for admitted students runs through NYU's Office of Global Services: you fill out the NYU Application for Certificate of Eligibility (AFCOE) online after you're admitted to the university and pay your enrollment deposit.
For admitted students, NYU promises that, with the most international students in the U.S., we'll make sure your transition to life in NYC (or elsewhere!) is smooth and successful. The visa and work rules are in the visa chapter.
Challenges
The practical challenge NYU does document is cost: it tells students to anticipate that all costs will rise approximately 5% for the next academic year and every subsequent year. The cost chapter has the 2026-2027 figures.
When the year starts
NYU says most students begin in September (fall semester). Its academic calendar page lists school start/end dates; check the Fall 2027 start date there before you book travel.
F-1 visa, I-20 and work after graduation
You apply for your certificate of eligibility through NYU's AFCOE form after you're admitted to the university and pay your enrollment deposit, and NYU's page says that approximately 2 weeks after submitting a complete application, you should receive an email notification from OGS with the I-20 attached. After graduation, F-1 students can get a maximum of 12 months of OPT for each degree level.
Proof of funds
NYU requires that you demonstrate funds readily available to cover tuition and fees, living expenses, and health insurance for at least one academic year of study. NYU also tells you to anticipate that costs will increase approximately 5% for the next academic year and every subsequent year.
Dependents add to the requirement: an additional $10,800 per year for your spouse and $5,400 per year for each child. The bank document must have been issued within the past 6 months, and a sponsor's salary letter counts for up to 1/3 of your sponsor's yearly salary. NYU does not accept income tax documents, cryptocurrency statements or personal property deeds.
Visa, fees and current rules
NYU notes that the US government has announced a $250 Visa Integrity Fee on a new nonimmigrant visa, without a start date on the page, that F-1 visas for some countries issued after July 2025 may be valid for only 3 months and/or for a single entry, and that screening can include requests to make private social media accounts publicly viewable.
Working while you study
Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are generally not allowed to work in the U.S. to help pay for their education. On campus you can work a maximum of 20 hrs/week during Fall or Spring semesters, and more during summer and winter breaks.
The F-1 to OPT to H-1B pipeline - a realistic look
OPT requires that you have been a full-time student for at least one academic year in the US. NYU says approval takes around 4-6 months, so plan ahead, and you can pay $1,780 for premium processing, which is separate from the OPT application fee. If you get your degree at an NYU site outside of New York, you are generally not eligible for OPT.
Students with a degree in select government-designated STEM fields may apply for the STEM extension of 24 months of additional employment, with a company enrolled in the government's E-Verify program. Check the government list for your major.
This report gives no figures on the H-1B work visa or what comes after OPT. Ask NYU's Office of Global Services what your options are before you rely on a work route in the United States.
Who is NYU for? Summary
NYU suits you if you want a city campus, know the programme you are applying to, and can pay a 2026-2027 cost of attendance of $100,998 in the College of Arts & Science or qualify for need-based aid: NYU says need-based scholarships are available to non-U.S. citizens applying as first-year students.
Who NYU suits
- You want the city as your campus. Most of NYU's residence halls are found in famed Greenwich Village.
- You know your programme. NYU admits you to a school, and the school you join is determined by your chosen major or program.
- You can fund it or qualify for aid. The 2026-2027 estimate is $100,998 in the College of Arts & Science, and Stern and Tisch cost more.
- You can accept a binding Early Decision or wait for Regular Decision. The rounds are in the list of dates below.
This report gives no NYU admit rate or class profile, so build your list on the requirements it does state. NYU's aid pages do not say whether aid affects admission for international applicants, so do not plan on either answer.
How NYU compares to UK, EU, and Asian alternatives for international applicants
NYU's pages make no comparison with universities in the UK, the EU or Asia, and this report does not add one from other sources. What you can compare is the NYU side: the cost above, the aid policy, and the work route after graduation, where NYU states a maximum of 12 months of OPT for each degree level. For a fair comparison, take the equivalent figures from each other university's own pages.
Next steps and dates
Two rules apply to every round. Submit your English test scores by your application deadline if the English rule applies to you, and remember that standardized testing is optional for the upcoming application term.
NYU: frequently asked questions
What SAT score do I need to get into NYU?
NYU's pages state no minimum SAT or ACT score, and testing is optional if you apply now for autumn 2027 entry: NYU's first-year page calls standardized testing optional for the upcoming application term (according to the page as of October 2026).
How much does it cost to study at NYU?
For 2026-2027 NYU estimates a New York cost of attendance of $100,998 in the College of Arts & Science, $102,886 in Stern and $107,748 in Tisch, of which tuition and fees are $68,576 in Arts & Science. F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the NYU-sponsored student health insurance plan, and a 2027-2028 figure is not yet published.
Does NYU offer financial aid to international students?
Yes: NYU says need-based scholarships are available to non-U.S. citizens applying as first-years, and asks them to submit the CSS Profile by the deadline. International applicants complete the CSS Profile, and scholarship and grant funding is determined by the results of the CSS Profile for first-year undergraduates. NYU's aid pages do not say whether applying for aid affects the admission decision. NYU Abu Dhabi accepts applications for financial support from all students, regardless of citizenship.
How is NYU different from Ivy League universities?
NYU's pages make no comparison with the Ivy League, and this report does not add one from other sources. They do show its shape: 11 schools and colleges in New York, where the school you join is determined by your chosen major or program, and more than 50,000 students across its three campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. To compare cost, aid and deadlines, take the equivalent figures from the other university's own pages.
Which NYU school should I apply to?
You choose a programme, not only a university: the school you join is determined by your chosen major or program. The College of Arts and Science is NYU's largest undergraduate college, with 90 areas of study, and at Stern you can apply directly to three business degrees. Tisch requires an artistic review for all programs and Tandon is located in downtown Brooklyn.
Should international applicants consider NYU Abu Dhabi instead of New York?
NYU Abu Dhabi is a separate campus with its own admissions page, costs and aid, so compare it on its own terms. NYU's cost of attendance page estimates its 2026-2027 cost of attendance at $90,434; it accepts aid applications from all students regardless of citizenship, and its grants for non-Emirati citizens are based on financial need. This report gives no admit rate for either campus; one Common Application covers New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, and NYU tells applicants to either campus to refer to their specific guidelines.
What is student life like at NYU without a traditional campus?
NYU runs student life through the city: it lists 300-plus student clubs and organizations, and most of its 23 residence halls are in Greenwich Village. NYU points to 13 on-campus eateries and says varsity athletics, intramural sports, and fitness classes are found throughout campus.
Are international qualifications accepted by NYU?
Yes: NYU accepts national examinations from over a hundred countries, and you are eligible to apply if you will complete your country's pre-university education (equivalent to U.S. 12th grade) before enrolling. It names an internationally-recognized equivalent, such as the IB Diploma; if you apply from a country with school leaving qualifications based on the British educational model, you will have completed the A-level equivalent and neither O-levels nor (I)GCSE results will be sufficient for admission. If official results are not available, your school may submit predicted scores.
When are the NYU application deadlines?
Early Decision I closes on November 1 with a decision on December 15, Early Decision II closes on January 1 with a decision on February 15, and Regular Decision closes on January 5 with a decision by April 1. Both Early Decision rounds are binding, and NYU prints no year beside these dates, so confirm them in your Common Application account. The cut-off is 11:59 pm in your local time zone.
What English score does NYU require?
NYU says we don't have minimum score requirements, but competitive applicants have 100 and above on a TOEFL iBT taken on or before January 20, 2026, 5 or above (overall score and subscores) on one taken on or after January 21, 2026, 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic and 135 and above on the Duolingo English Test. You do not need a test if English is your first language or all of your schooling for the three full consecutive academic years prior to the current year were taught entirely in English (excluding world language classes).
Does NYU interview applicants?
For New York the answer is no: NYU does not offer interviews to any candidates. NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai are separate campuses, and NYU tells applicants to either campus to refer to their specific guidelines, so do not carry the New York answer over to them.
What is NYU's acceptance rate?
This report gives no NYU admit rate, because none is sourced for a class you would join, and it does not estimate one. NYU says there are no formulas to admissions decisions, and it measures every applicant, first-year or transfer, against the same admissions criteria. The chapter on how NYU selects students covers what NYU does publish.
Where these numbers come from
Official pages of New York University, UCAS, gov.uk and the ranking publishers. Applicant reports, where shown, are self-reported and labelled.
Internships and Jobs · Life at NYU · Campuses, Schools, and Colleges · First-Year Applicants · Cost of Attendance · Early Decision · International Applicants · English Language Testing · Undergraduate - NYU Stern · Why Study Away? · How to Apply · High/Secondary School Preparation · Forms and Documents Guide · Additional Program Requirements for First Year Applicants · NYU Global Gateway Program in London · How to Apply | NYU Shanghai · High School Counselors · Application Authenticity · Standardized Testing Categories · Admissions · Application Requirements · Undergraduate Application Requirements · How to Apply · Undergraduate Application Requirements · How to Apply for Financial Aid · Key Dates and Deadlines - · Early Decision | NYU Shanghai · Admitted Students | NYU Shanghai · Application Fee Information · Common Data Set 2024-2025 · STARS for First-Year Applicants · Advanced Credits · Majors and Programs · First Year Away Programs · Humanities and Social Sciences · Internal Transfers · Admissions | NYU Shanghai · Scholarships and Financial Aid - · Minimum Maximum · Cost and Financial Aid | NYU Shanghai · Undergraduate Admissions · Studying Abroad · Undergraduate Semester or Academic Year Away · NYU Facts · Optional Practical Training · STEM OPT · Tuition · Rates, Payments, & License · PROPOSED · International Student Fees · Estimated Expenses · First-Year Applicants · Types of Aid · Housing and Dining · Transfer Applicants · Washington Square Meal Plans · Admitted Students · Campus Activities & Resources · Academic Calendar · Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019 · Apply for Your Student Visa · On-Campus Employment
Photos: Washington Square Arch in Washington Square Park, New York: photo Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons · NYU building with violet NYU flags, New York: photo Jonathan71, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons