Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

New York University acceptance rate and admissions profile

With an acceptance rate near 9%, New York University is a most selective private college in New York. Because it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer, admission turns on the strength of your whole profile rather than any one number.

Use this page to see what New York University weighs, where it ranks among New York schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1530, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
9%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1530
of admitted students
Type
Private
New York
Selectivity in state
#3
of 59 in NY
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Will I get into New York University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into New York University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into New York University?

New York University admits about 9% of applicants, but that overall rate is not your personal chance. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for New York University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is New York University hard to get into?

New York University is most selective: it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer, with about a 9% acceptance rate. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline, so essays, recommendations, and a distinctive story are what separate admits.

What GPA do you need to get into New York University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at New York University, but admitted students almost universally present a 3.9 to 4.0 GPA earned in the most demanding courses their school offers. New York University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for New York University?

New York University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at New York University.

Calculate your chances at New York University

What New York University looks for

What New York University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

In its review, New York University leans most on rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. At this level of selectivity, the difference between admits is rarely the transcript alone; essays, recommendations, and a coherent story matter. These ratings come from New York University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Very important
Application essay
Important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at New York University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at New York University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1550 SAT →Colleges for a 35 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How New York University compares in New York

New York University ranks #3 most selective of 59 schools in New York in our database.

Among the 59 New York schools we track, New York University ranks #3 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Columbia University (4%) and Cornell University (9%) sit nearby, which makes New York a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Columbia University
4%acceptance · NY
Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
U.S. Military Academy
12%acceptance · NY
Colgate University
14%acceptance · NY
Hamilton College
14%acceptance · NY
Vassar College
19%acceptance · NY
Skidmore College
21%acceptance · NY
Binghamton University
39%acceptance · NY
See all New York schools →

Similar to New York University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Build around New York University with peers at a comparable selectivity, such as Cornell University, Amherst College, and Northwestern University. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
Amherst College
9%acceptance · MA
Northwestern University
8%acceptance · IL
Rice University
8%acceptance · TX
Williams College
8%acceptance · MA
University of Southern California
10%acceptance · CA

Frequently asked questions

What does New York University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, New York University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does New York University consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. New York University's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at New York University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at New York University specifically.

Is New York University test-optional?

Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm New York University's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.