NYU (New York University): A University Whose Campus is All of New York City
When you think about studying in New York City, one association immediately comes to mind: NYU. New York University is one of the most recognized universities in the world, and at the same time, it’s number one among international students in the USA. No other American university attracts as many international applicants. Founded in 1831 in the heart of Greenwich Village in Manhattan, NYU offers something that cannot be replicated at any other institution: New York City as an integral part of the educational experience. If you are considering studying in the USA and dream of learning in the world’s most dynamic city, this guide is for you.
NYU: What Kind of University Is It and What Makes It Stand Out?
New York University is a large, private research university with over 55,000 students (including approximately 28,000 undergraduates), making it one of the largest private universities in the United States. The university consists of over a dozen schools and colleges, each with its own profile, requirements, and often a completely different character.
NYU in numbers and rankings:
- US News & World Report 2025-2026: ranked ~28 among National Universities
- QS World University Rankings: consistently in the top 40 globally
- #1 in terms of international student enrollment among US universities
- Stern School of Business: top 5 business programs in the country
- Tisch School of the Arts: top 3 arts and film schools in America
What distinguishes NYU is primarily its lack of a traditional campus. University buildings are scattered across Manhattan (mainly around Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village) and Brooklyn (the Tandon campus). There are no gates, walls, or a classic college “bubble” here. The city is the campus, and the campus is the city. For some, this is a dream; for others, a challenge. It’s worth knowing this before making your decision.
NYU Schools and Colleges: Where to Apply?
NYU is not one university, but a constellation of schools with very different profiles and selectivity. Here are the most important ones from an international applicant’s perspective:
College of Arts and Science (CAS)
NYU’s largest undergraduate school, offering a classic liberal arts education. Over 90 majors in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. CAS is the heart of NYU. If you’re not entirely sure what you want to study, this is likely the best starting option.
Stern School of Business
Stern is NYU’s crown jewel and one of the best business schools in the world. The undergraduate program consistently ranks in the top 5 in the USA (alongside Wharton at UPenn, Ross at Michigan, and Haas at Berkeley). The acceptance rate for Stern is significantly lower than for the rest of NYU. In recent years, it has been around 5-7%.
What distinguishes Stern:
- Location on Wall Street (literally a few subway stops from the main campus)
- IB (International Business) program with a mandatory semester at one of NYU’s global campuses
- Access to internships at top investment banks, hedge funds, and consulting firms starting from the first year
- Strong alumni network in finance. Stern is one of the main “feeders” to Wall Street.
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch is a mecca for aspiring filmmakers, actors, directors, animators, and performing artists. Tisch alumni include Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Lady Gaga, Alec Baldwin, and Kristen Bell. The film and drama programs consistently rank in the top 3 nationally.
Admissions to Tisch differ from the rest of NYU. In addition to standard application documents, an artistic portfolio or audition is required.
Tandon School of Engineering
The Tandon campus is located in MetroTech Center in Brooklyn and offers engineering, computer science, and technology programs. It’s a smaller, more intimate part of NYU with a strong emphasis on practical applications and collaboration with New York’s startup ecosystem. Computer science, cybersecurity, and financial engineering are flagship programs.
Gallatin School of Individualized Study
Gallatin is unique: a school where you design your own course of study. You create your own path combining courses from various NYU schools, independent research, and internships. Ideal for interdisciplinary individuals who don’t fit into traditional frameworks.
NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai
NYU has two fully-fledged global campuses:
- NYU Abu Dhabi: one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the world (~3-5% acceptance rate), with significantly more generous financial aid than the main campus
- NYU Shanghai: the first American-Chinese research university, ideal for those interested in Asia and international business
Both campuses offer an NYU degree but with a unique intercultural experience. Importantly, financial aid at the global campuses is often much more generous than at the New York campus. This is worth considering as an international applicant.
Selectivity and Profile of Admitted Students
NYU is less selective than Ivy League universities, but competition has significantly increased in recent years:
- Overall acceptance rate: ~8-12% (depending on the school and year)
- Stern Business: ~5-7%
- Tisch Arts: ~15-20% (but with required portfolio/audition)
- CAS: ~8-12%
- NYU Abu Dhabi: ~3-5%
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
- SAT middle 50%: 1470-1560
- ACT middle 50%: 33-35
- GPA: the vast majority of admitted students have a GPA above 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale)
- NYU has been test-optional for years. Check the current policy on the university’s website before the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.
What Makes a Strong NYU Application Stand Out?
NYU looks for students who:
- Have a clear vision of why NYU and why a specific school. The supplemental essay “Why NYU?” is crucial.
- Can demonstrate how they will leverage New York City as part of their education.
- Have strong extracurricular activities with an emphasis on depth of involvement, not just quantity.
- Demonstrate independence and maturity. Life at NYU without a traditional campus demands this from day one.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applications to NYU are submitted via the Common Application or Coalition Application. Here are the key components:
- Common App Personal Essay: the standard Common Application essay (250-650 words)
- NYU Supplement: the “Why NYU?” essay (maximum 400 words). This is your chance to show that you understand how NYU differs from other universities and why you’ve chosen a specific school within NYU.
- High school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores (check the current test-optional policy)
- TOEFL or IELTS for international students (minimum 100 iBT / 7.5 IELTS)
- Letters of recommendation (1 from a school counselor + 1 from a teacher)
- Artistic portfolio / audition (for Tisch only)
Application Deadlines
- Early Decision I (ED I): November 1, decision – mid-December (binding)
- Early Decision II (ED II): January 1, decision – mid-February (binding)
- Regular Decision (RD): January 5, decision – end of March
NYU offers two rounds of Early Decision, which is rare and provides an additional opportunity. ED II allows you to apply bindingly, even if you changed your mind after not being admitted ED I to another university.
Familiarize yourself with our complete guide to the US university application process and the timeline for applying to universities abroad to plan your preparations effectively.
Cost of Attendance 2025-2026 and Financial Aid
Let’s be honest: NYU was historically known as a university with high costs and limited financial aid. However, this situation is changing. In recent years, NYU has significantly increased its financial aid budget.
Current Costs
| Category | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $62,000 |
| Housing | $20,800 |
| Meal Plan | $6,500 |
| Mandatory Fees | $2,700 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,100 |
| Personal Expenses & Transportation | $3,900 |
| Total Estimated Cost | ~$97,000 |
Yes, nearly $100,000 per year. This is one of the highest costs among American universities, primarily due to the cost of living in New York City.
Financial Aid: What Has Changed?
NYU has made significant progress in expanding financial aid:
- In 2024, NYU announced that families with incomes below $100,000 and typical assets qualify for free tuition.
- The university has increased its financial aid budget by over $300 million in the last 5 years.
- Approximately 65% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.
- The average grant (non-repayable aid) is over $42,000 per year.
For international applicants: NYU applies a need-aware policy for international students at its main campus in New York. However, NYU Abu Dhabi applies a need-blind policy for all applicants and offers full scholarships covering tuition, housing, meal plans, and travel. If financial aid is crucial, it’s worth considering applying to Abu Dhabi.
You can read more about financing your studies in the guide to scholarships for studying in the USA for international students and in the article on studying in the USA for free.
Study Abroad: 13+ Global Locations
One of NYU’s greatest strengths is its study abroad program, which is the largest and most extensive among all American universities. NYU operates its own academic centers in over 13 cities worldwide:
- London (Bloomsbury)
- Paris (Le Marais)
- Florence (Villa La Pietra)
- Madrid
- Berlin
- Prague
- Buenos Aires
- Accra (Ghana)
- Sydney
- Tel Aviv
- Washington, D.C.
- Los Angeles
- as well as campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai
Over 50% of NYU students spend at least one semester at one of the global campuses. This isn’t a typical exchange program. Courses are taught by NYU faculty, count towards the degree, and are fully integrated into the curriculum. Prague, as one of the locations, is particularly appealing to students interested in Central Europe due to its rich history and vibrant culture.
Life in New York: The Internship Capital of the World
NYU’s location in New York City is both its greatest asset and its biggest challenge.
What New York Offers
- Internships and Jobs: NYC is the capital of finance (Wall Street), media (NBC, CNN, Vice), fashion (Vogue, Ralph Lauren), technology (Google NYC, Meta), theater (Broadway), and art (MoMA, Met). NYU students have access to internships that students at universities in smaller towns can only dream of.
- Networking: Hundreds of industry events, conferences, and meetings take place weekly in New York. As an NYU student, you have natural access to them.
- Culture and Entertainment: From Broadway to underground jazz clubs in the Village, from Central Park to galleries in Chelsea – NYC never stops.
- Diversity: Over 200 languages, cuisines from every corner of the world, people from every culture. This is the best preparation for a global career.
Challenges
- Cost of Living: New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Even with on-campus housing, daily expenses are higher than in other student cities.
- Lack of a Traditional Campus: There’s no “college experience” in the style of Duke, Stanford, or Ivy League universities. If you’re looking for a closed student community, football games, and campfires, NYU might not be for you.
- Distractions: In a city that never sleeps, you need strong discipline to focus on your studies.
- Feeling of Loneliness: Paradoxically, in an 8-million-person city, it can be easier to feel lonely than on an intimate campus.
The Polish Community in NYC
New York City is home to one of the largest Polish diasporas in the world. Greenpoint in Brooklyn is historically a Polish neighborhood with Polish churches, restaurants, shops, and cultural centers. Although Greenpoint is undergoing gentrification, the Polish community remains vibrant. For an international student with Polish heritage, this offers an added comfort: the opportunity to enjoy pierogi, purchase Polish newspapers, and meet fellow Poles.
NYU Stern vs. Wharton vs. Other Business Schools
If you’re interested in business and finance, you’re probably wondering how NYU Stern compares to other top undergraduate business programs:
| Criterion | NYU Stern | Wharton (UPenn) | Ross (Michigan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Ranking | Top 5 | #1 | Top 5 |
| Acceptance Rate | ~5-7% | ~5-6% | ~10-15% |
| Location | NYC/Wall Street | Philadelphia | Ann Arbor |
| Strength in Finance | Outstanding | Outstanding | Very Good |
| Financial Aid | Limited (need-aware intl.) | Generous (need-blind intl.) | Good |
| Internships | NYC – Best Access | Good, but not NYC | Limited |
| Program Size | ~500/year | ~600/year | ~500/year |
Stern vs. Wharton: Wharton is generally considered #1, but Stern has a unique locational advantage. Its literal proximity to Wall Street means students can combine academics with finance work from their first year. Wharton, on the other hand, offers better financial aid for international students (UPenn is need-blind for international applicants).
If you’re also considering other top universities, read our article Harvard, MIT, or Stanford – Which University is Best? and the guide to the best technology universities in the USA.
Career Prospects After NYU
An NYU degree (especially from Stern, Tisch, or Tandon) opens specific doors in the job market. A career after graduating from a top university is not just about prestige, but primarily about access to networks and opportunities unavailable to graduates from other institutions.
Key Data
- 93% of NYU graduates secure employment or pursue further education within 6 months of graduation.
- Average starting salary for Stern graduates: over $85,000 per year (among the highest in the country).
- NYU’s alumni network numbers over 600,000 individuals worldwide.
- Top on-campus recruiters: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey, BCG, Google, Meta, Deloitte, NBCUniversal.
Career Paths by School
- Stern: finance (investment banking, private equity, hedge funds), consulting, fintech
- Tisch: film, television, theater, digital media, advertising, design
- CAS: law (top law schools), medicine, social sciences, journalism, NGOs
- Tandon: technology, cybersecurity, data science, startups
Preparing for the SAT? Check out Prepclass.io – a platform created by College Council to help you prepare for the SAT exam and achieve a competitive score for NYU applicants.
If you need help with your application to NYU or other top universities, College Council specializes in guiding international applicants through the entire admissions process. Have questions about visa requirements? Read our guide to student visas for the USA.
Want to learn English with AI assistance? Check out Okiro.io – a tool that will help you prepare linguistically for studying at an English-speaking university.
Read Also
- The US University Application Process – A Complete Guide for International Applicants
- Application Essays for US Universities – A Comprehensive Guide
- Ivy League – The Elite League of American Universities
- Studying at Columbia University
- Scholarships for Studying in the USA for International Students – A Detailed Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score is needed to get into NYU?
The middle 50% of admitted students at NYU achieve an SAT score in the range of 1470-1560 out of 1600 points. Requirements vary by school. Higher scores (closer to 1530-1570) are expected for Stern, while the range is slightly broader for CAS or Tandon. NYU evaluates applicants holistically. Check the current test-optional policy on the university’s website.
How much does it cost to study at NYU?
The total estimated cost of attendance at NYU for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $97,000 annually, including tuition (~$62,000), housing, meal plan, and personal expenses. This is one of the highest costs among American universities, mainly due to living in New York City. However, approximately 65% of students receive financial aid.
Does NYU offer financial aid for international students?
NYU applies a need-aware policy for international students at its New York campus, meaning financial circumstances may influence the admissions decision. However, NYU Abu Dhabi applies a need-blind policy for all applicants and offers full scholarships. In recent years, NYU has significantly increased its financial aid budget. Families with incomes below $100,000 may qualify for free tuition.
How does NYU differ from Ivy League universities?
NYU is not part of the Ivy League, but in many fields (business, arts, film, finance), it competes with top Ivy institutions. The main difference is its location in New York City and the lack of a traditional campus. NYU offers a distinctly different student experience, more urban and independent. NYU is also generally less selective (~8-12% vs. 3-7% for Ivies), although Stern and NYU Abu Dhabi have selectivity comparable to the Ivies.
Which school within NYU should I choose?
The choice of school depends on your interests. Stern is the obvious choice for aspiring financiers and entrepreneurs. Tisch is ideal for artists, filmmakers, and actors. CAS is the best option if you want flexibility and a wide range of majors. Tandon is for future engineers and computer scientists. Gallatin is for those who want to create their own interdisciplinary program of study.
Is it worth considering NYU Abu Dhabi instead of the main campus?
Definitely, especially if financial aid is a priority for you. NYU Abu Dhabi is one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the world (~3-5% acceptance rate) but offers full scholarships covering tuition, housing, meal plans, and travel. The degree is the same as from NYU in New York, and the experience is unique: a small, international community (approx. 2,000 students from over 100 countries).
What is student life like at NYU without a traditional campus?
Student life at NYU revolves around Washington Square Park and Greenwich Village. Instead of a closed campus, students have access to all of New York City (cafes, museums, parks, theaters, and cultural events). Dorms are scattered across Manhattan. NYU offers over 500 student organizations, but building a community requires more initiative than on a traditional campus. Many students believe that this independence is one of NYU’s greatest strengths.
Is an international high school diploma, such as the Polish Matura certificate, recognized by NYU?
Yes, NYU accepts international high school diplomas, including the Polish Matura certificate, and evaluates results within the context of the respective educational system. International applicants should, however, take the SAT or ACT exam (if applicable) and the TOEFL (minimum 100 iBT) or IELTS (minimum 7.5). NYU is one of the universities most welcoming to international students, so applicants are not discriminated against in any way.
