About The New School
The New School built its reputation around progressive education and creative disciplines, with Parsons School of Design serving as its crown jewel. This Greenwich Village institution enrolls 6,819 students who come to study everything from fashion and fine arts to liberal arts and social research. Notable graduates include architect Maya Lin, who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and fashion consultant Tim Gunn from Project Runway.
Students pay an average net price of $55,359 after aid, which represents minimal discount from the sticker price since only 15.32% receive financial aid. Graduates earn a median of $52,901 ten years after graduation, making the financial equation challenging for many families. With median debt of $22,266 and monthly loan payments of $236, students need to carefully consider their career prospects in creative fields.
Women make up 76.96% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in design and arts programs. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, which matters in creative disciplines where individual attention drives success. With an 80.73% retention rate, most students stick around despite the hefty price tag, suggesting they find value in The New School's unconventional approach to higher education.
Students pay an average net price of $55,359 after aid, which represents minimal discount from the sticker price since only 15.32% receive financial aid. Graduates earn a median of $52,901 ten years after graduation, making the financial equation challenging for many families. With median debt of $22,266 and monthly loan payments of $236, students need to carefully consider their career prospects in creative fields.
Women make up 76.96% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in design and arts programs. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, which matters in creative disciplines where individual attention drives success. With an 80.73% retention rate, most students stick around despite the hefty price tag, suggesting they find value in The New School's unconventional approach to higher education.
Academics & Faculty
The New School operates as a private research university built around creative disciplines and progressive education. The university houses the well-known Parsons School of Design, one of the top art and fashion design programs globally. Students work closely with faculty in a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that enables intensive mentorship in studio-based learning. The 71% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of creative programs where students often take longer to complete portfolios and capstone projects. Beyond art and design, the university emphasizes interdisciplinary studies connecting social research, liberal arts, and creative practice. Students benefit from small seminars and workshops that mirror professional creative environments rather than traditional lecture halls.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 19.3%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 70.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 71.2%
- Retention Rate
- 80.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,901
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $76,460 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $63,430 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $61,516 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master | $61,516 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,788 |
| Architecture. | Master | $59,124 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $58,866 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | Master | $58,673 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Master | $50,856 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Master | $48,041 |
Campus Life
Greenwich Village pulses around The New School's scattered buildings, where 6,819 students navigate one of Manhattan's most creative neighborhoods. Only 25% of students can snag spots in the limited campus housing for 1,738, so most live in apartments throughout the city. Winter coats are essential from December through March as temperatures drop below freezing.
The 9:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate studio sessions and seminars that feel more like creative collaboratives than traditional classes. Women make up 77% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in fashion, design, and liberal arts. Weekend life flows between gallery openings in Chelsea, vintage shopping in SoHo, and late-night coffee shops in the Village. Students often gather at Washington Square Park, just blocks from campus. The Narwhals mascot might seem quirky, but it captures the school's unconventional spirit. With 83% of students coming from out of state, dorm parties mix with rooftop gatherings and underground art shows across the five boroughs.
The 9:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate studio sessions and seminars that feel more like creative collaboratives than traditional classes. Women make up 77% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in fashion, design, and liberal arts. Weekend life flows between gallery openings in Chelsea, vintage shopping in SoHo, and late-night coffee shops in the Village. Students often gather at Washington Square Park, just blocks from campus. The Narwhals mascot might seem quirky, but it captures the school's unconventional spirit. With 83% of students coming from out of state, dorm parties mix with rooftop gatherings and underground art shows across the five boroughs.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 1,738 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1919
Campus Safety (2023)
41 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 12 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Fondling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Dating Violence | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 27°–39°F
- July Avg
- 70°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 29.8"
Student Demographics
Students flock to The New School from across the country, with 83% coming from out-of-state to pursue creative careers in Manhattan. Women make up 77% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in fashion, design, and liberal arts programs. The student population of 6,819 creates an intimate creative community in one of the world's largest cities. With only 15% receiving Pell Grants, the school attracts predominantly middle and upper-middle-class families willing to invest $87,560 annually in specialized arts education at institutions like Parsons School of Design.
- Men
- 23.0%
- Women
- 77.0%
- White
- 31.4%
- Black
- 3.9%
- Hispanic
- 10.9%
- Asian
- 11.9%
- In-State Students
- 17.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 15.3%
Location
The New School sits in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, placing students in the heart of America's largest city. New York City houses over 8 million people and serves as a global center for art, fashion, and media industries. The Village neighborhood buzzes with cafes, galleries, and creative professionals who often collaborate with students. Campus buildings blend into the urban fabric rather than creating a traditional quad. The 6,819 students live among 1.6 million residents in Manhattan alone. This dense creative ecosystem provides internships and networking opportunities that smaller college towns cannot match. The subway connects students to every borough within an hour. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare The New School with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- New York, New York 10011
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,901
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $54,042
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $41,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 62.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $236/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,266
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at The New School?
The New School accepts 57% of applicants, making it moderately selective for an arts-focused institution. This Greenwich Village university draws creative students from around the world to its well-known programs like Parsons School of Design.
How much does The New School cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $55,359 annually, with total costs reaching $87,560 including room and board. Only 15% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's affluent student population despite some institutional aid averaging $20,482.
What is the student-faculty ratio at The New School?
The New School maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with 6,819 total students. This intimate learning environment supports the school's progressive educational philosophy and hands-on creative programs across its various colleges.
What do graduates of The New School typically earn?
Alumni earn a median salary of $52,901 ten years after graduation, with an employment rate of 86%. The school's strong connections to New York's creative industries help graduates launch careers in fashion, design, and the arts.
Where do students live at The New School?
The university houses 1,738 students in residence halls throughout Manhattan, though most of the 6,819 enrolled live off-campus. With 83% of students coming from out-of-state, the Greenwich Village location attracts those seeking an urban arts education.
Is The New School's student body diverse?
Women comprise 77% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in fields like fashion and design. The racial composition is 31% White, 12% Asian, 11% Hispanic, and 4% Black, with students drawn to the university's progressive reputation.
