NYU Admission Requirements
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NYU Admission Overview
NYU admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in New York. Last year NYU admitted 9.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (A-) and SAT 1480-1560 / ACT 34-35. NYU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NYU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
NYU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Extreme
Admission difficulty for New York University
Acceptance Rate
The NYU acceptance rate is 9.2%. Last year, only 10,232 of 110,807 applicants were admitted. That is the 5th lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 31st lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into NYU and can you get accepted?
NYU is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
New York University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Of those admitted, 55% enrolled. That suggests NYU is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NYU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.79Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.79
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at NYU typically have around a 3.79 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.79 average does not by itself determine admission. NYU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
27% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #13 in New York for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
NYU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
New York University is test-optional through the 2027-2028 application cycle. First-year applicants may apply without SAT or ACT scores. Students who elect to submit testing may send only one form of testing (SAT, ACT, three AP exams, IB Diploma results, GCE A-Levels, or an approved national exam) and may self-report unofficial scores for review; official reports are required only if you enroll. NYU superscores SAT results across test dates and superscores ACT results across test dates, with or without the optional science section.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/standardized-tests.html
NYU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1480-1560Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
28%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 720
- Math 760
- Composite 1480
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 760
- Math 800
- Composite 1560
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at NYU typically score around a 1520 SAT (middle 50% 1480–1560) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. NYU ranks #3 in the state of New York and #26 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1480 to 1560
Matching last year's 1480–1560 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
NYU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
NYU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
34-35Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 34
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 35
Average ACT
Incoming testers at NYU typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NYU places #4 among colleges in New York and #27 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35
Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to NYU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the NYU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to New York University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to New York University is $85.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
NYU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 9.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1480-1560); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to New York University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=193900.
GPA calculator: New York University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026