New York University: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 8% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1530 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 35 |
| Location | NY |
| School type | Private |
New York University is a private university in New York City. It accepts about 8% of applicants, a rate that has dropped considerably as the school's national profile has grown. Located in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, NYU draws students who want to study in the middle of one of the world's most active cities.
Calculate your chances at New York University free →How hard is it to get into New York University?
NYU's 8% acceptance rate places it among the more selective private universities in the country. The school receives a very large number of applications each year, and the competition is intense across almost every program and school within the university.
Admission requires a strong academic record, but NYU also pays attention to what draws you to New York City and to the specific school or program you are applying to. The university has multiple colleges with distinct focuses, and applications that show clear thinking about fit tend to do better.
Test scores that make you competitive
At the 75th percentile, admitted NYU students score a 1530 on the SAT and a 35 on the ACT. Being in that range helps your application on the academic side, though NYU is test-optional. Students with strong grades and lower test scores have a real path to admission if the rest of their application is compelling.
What New York University looks for
NYU looks for students who have taken their studies seriously and shown genuine interest in a field or set of ideas. Given how many applicants arrive with strong grades, what often differentiates applications is the quality of the writing and the clarity of purpose behind the application.
Explaining why you want to study at NYU specifically, including how the city fits into your goals, can make your application more focused and memorable. Generic essays at a school this selective rarely do the work you need them to do.
Estimate your chances at New York University
CollegeCalcAI has a free calculator at collegecalcai.com that gives you a personalized estimate of your chances at NYU based on your GPA, test scores, and activities. It is a simple, quick way to get a clearer read on your odds before you invest time in the application.
Frequently asked questions
What is New York University's acceptance rate?
NYU's acceptance rate is approximately 8%, which reflects how competitive the school has become over the past decade.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for New York University?
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted NYU students is 1530, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Scores in that range are considered competitive.
Is New York University hard to get into?
Yes. An 8% acceptance rate means the great majority of applicants are not admitted. NYU has grown significantly more selective in recent years.
See your real odds at New York University
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.