More selective than 97% of New York colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
27% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 12% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose New York University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What New York University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as New York University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Character and personal qualities
- SAT/ACT scores
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- First-generation college student
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Class rank
- Interview
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of New York University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.81. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
New York University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, New York University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 720 | 760 |
| SAT math | 760 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1480 | 1560 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
New York University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 9% | 720–760 | 760–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 9% | 720–770 | 760–800 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is New York University compared with other New York colleges?
New York University has the 5th-lowest acceptance rate of 140 New York colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 4% | 96% | $21,590 |
| 2 | Cornell University | 9% | 95% | $28,690 |
| 3 | Barnard College | 9% | 93% | $28,800 |
| 4 | The Juilliard School | 9% | 93% | $43,571 |
| 5 | New York University | 9% | 88% | $37,050 |
| 6 | United States Military Academy | 12% | 87% | — |
| 7 | Hamilton College | 14% | 91% | $28,985 |
| 8 | Colgate University | 14% | 91% | $28,786 |
| 9 | Webb Institute | 14% | 88% | $73,043 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All New York colleges →
Who enrolls at New York University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
New York University admissions questions
What is the New York University acceptance rate?
New York University accepts 9% of applicants, about 1 in 11. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 10,693 of 113,578 applicants were admitted.
Does New York University require the SAT or ACT?
New York University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for New York University?
The middle 50% of New York University enrolled first-year students scored 1480–1560 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at New York University?
54% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (5,818 of 10,693).
What does New York University look for in applicants?
New York University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, essay, recommendations, character and personal qualities. Important: sAT/ACT scores. Considered: extracurricular activities, talent or ability, first-generation college student, where you live, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does New York University have early decision?
Yes. New York University offers binding early decision.
Is New York University getting harder to get into?
New York University accepted 9% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 9% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; New York University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to New York University overview