NYU Admission Requirements
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Your chances of getting into New York University
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Percent Admitted The percent of high school students who historically have been accepted at this school.
Admission Standards Measure of this school's average accepted admission test scores (SAT/ACT) 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 acceptance rate at NYU is 9.2%. Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in New York and the 31st lowest 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 and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 10,232 out of the 110,807 who applied were admitted.
New York University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Of those applicants who were admitted, 55% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into New York University you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.79 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1520 on the SAT
- Score 34 on the ACT
NYU GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.79Typical High School Grades Letter grade equivalent for the average high school GPA for incoming freshmen.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.79
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
The GPA requirements for getting into NYU are to have around a 3.79 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class. Given NYU's extremely competitive admissions, meeting the average GPA alone is unlikely to be enough for admission. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.79 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.
27% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #13 in New York for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since NYU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
NYU SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range The middle 50% of incoming freshmen have SAT scores in this range. The maximum score is 1600.
1480-1560Applicants Submitting SAT Percentage of students who submit SAT scores with their application to this school.
28%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 720
- Math 760
- Composite 1480
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 760
- Math 800
- Composite 1560
SAT Scores You Need to Get In
The average SAT score at NYU is 1520 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1480-1560. Students who get into New York University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers. 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
To be most competitive with other applicants, target scoring 1520 or above on the SAT. NYU regularly admits students with scores down to 1480; three quarters of admitted students score higher, and admission should be considered a reach if you score below 1480. Some students may be accepted with SAT scores as low as 1440, though scores that low are outside the normal range. Given NYU's extremely competitive admissions, an average SAT score alone is unlikely to be enough for admission. The school should be considered a reach even if you score near the average. If your SAT score does not meet these requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.
Submission Requirements
Submission of SAT scores is not required for admission to New York University. If you optionally submit an SAT score, it will be considered with your application, but it is not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores for admission for the most recent academic year.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
These estimated admission chances at NYU are based on SAT score and the school's acceptance rate, assuming an otherwise average GPA and application. Even strong SAT scores may not guarantee admission at this extremely selective school.
NYU ACT Scores
ACT Score Profile & Requirements
ACT Range Half of enrolled freshmen scored within this ACT score range. The top possible score is 36.
34-35Applicants Submitting ACT Share of enrolling students who included ACT results in their application.
10%Lower Quartile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Overall 34
Upper Quartile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Overall 35
What ACT Score Do You Need?
Admitted students at NYU typically earn a score of 34 on the 36-point scale, with most falling between 34 and 35. Successful applicants tend to rank among the top 1% of ACT examinees nationwide. Among colleges in the state of New York, NYU ranks #4 for average ACT score and #27 nationally.
ACT Score Range (Middle 50% of Admits) 34 to 35
Applicants who post a score of 34 or higher on the ACT are usually among the strongest. NYU has admitted students scoring as low as 34, but most incoming students are above that mark. Scoring below the 25th percentile should be treated as a reach. In rare cases, scores near 34 have been enough, though that is well outside the usual band. Admission is extremely selective; treat NYU as a reach even at the median.
ACT Submission Policy
You may apply to New York University without sending ACT results. Any score you choose to include will still be reviewed, but it is not required. 10% of recent applicants did report ACT scores.
Browse colleges with similar ACT expectations in the 34 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission Chances by ACT Score
See where your ACT score lands at NYU, from reach to likely. Each estimate pairs your score with the acceptance rate and assumes a typical GPA. Admission is extremely selective, so even a top score only keeps you in contention.
High School Class Rank
Applying
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 Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to New York University is $85.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to New York University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Credits Accepted
Admission Requirements Summary
NYU is an extremely competitive school to get into. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria.
It is critical that you earn at least a 3.79 GPA to have any realistic chance. Even strong test scores may not guarantee admission; scores near 1520 on the SAT and 34 on the ACT are a baseline, not a guarantee.
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