Admit rate has ranged 24%–67% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) is a hyper-specialized, industry-respected institution where students immerse themselves in the craft of interior design with New York City as their studio. With a 63% acceptance rate and a curriculum consistently ranked among the nation's top 10, NYSID attracts students who want rigorous training without the distractions of a traditional liberal arts college—though its social scene is notoriously thin. Graduates enter the field with strong technical skills but face modest starting salaries ($37,810 median) in a competitive industry.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
427
In-state tuition
$32,330
Out-of-state tuition
$32,330
Social Vibe
Design-focused, limited traditional campus life
Top Program
BFA in Interior Design (#4 nationally)
Acceptance Rate
63%
Median Alumni Salary
$37,810
6-Year Graduation Rate
80%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,041
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.1×
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
100%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
60%
Pell (lower-income) share
51%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$26,097
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
53.2"
Annual snow
17.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
20
Scholarly works
158
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at New York School of Interior Design?
New York School of Interior Design's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (New York, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does New York School of Interior Design cost?
At New York School of Interior Design, the average net price (after aid) is about $45,271 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend New York School of Interior Design?
New York School of Interior Design enrolls approximately 427 undergraduate students.
Where is New York School of Interior Design located?
New York School of Interior Design is located in New York, NY.
Admissions
NYSID admits about 63% of applicants, making it moderately selective compared to other design schools ([2], [12]). The school has adopted a test-optional policy, meaning SAT or ACT scores aren't required but can be submitted ([7]). Notably, 4% of admitted students boast GPAs of 3.75 or higher, while 10% fall in the 3.50–3.74 range ([10]). The process emphasizes portfolios and design potential over standardized metrics, reflecting its focus on cultivating creative professionals rather than academic generalists.
NYSID's BFA in Interior Design is the crown jewel, blending studio-intensive training with liberal arts coursework ([13]). The program has been ranked #4 nationally by Design Intelligence and consistently lands in the top 10 ([15]). Students master industry-standard tools like Rhinoceros, AutoCAD, and Revit—skills that align with nearby programs like NYIT's BFA ([16]). The curriculum is unapologetically specialized; as one Reddit user put it, 'NYSID is THE BEST academically, but poor socially' ([17]). Graduate offerings include four master's degrees, with certificates available for career-changers ([14]).
Life at NYSID revolves around design-centric activities: contract clubs, professional symposiums, and NYC design studio visits ([20]). The school leans into its urban setting with events that 'explore New York City' ([18]), but lacks traditional campus amenities. A decade-old Service Learning Studio program channels design skills toward social impact projects, like creating spaces for domestic violence survivors ([22]). Instagram showcases student work and exhibitions ([19]), while the school touts a 'diverse and inclusive global community' ([21])—though US News notes the absence of Greek life or varsity sports ([23]).
The 6-year graduation rate is a solid 80% ([24]), but post-graduation earnings lag slightly behind national averages at $37,810 median salary ([27]). NCES data shows strong retention rates, suggesting students who stay find the program rewarding ([26]). While the career center offers support, the niche focus means alumni networks are concentrated in design firms rather than broad industries. One outlier report cites higher earnings of $48,041 ([25]), likely reflecting NYC's inflated salaries for top performers.
At $32,330 tuition ([30]), NYSID is pricey but typical for NYC design schools. The average net price after aid is $35,102 ([32]), with scholarships requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA ([28]). The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator targets full-time freshmen ([31]), though part-time students also qualify for aid ([28]). PrepScholar notes that external scholarships and part-time work are common strategies to offset costs ([29]).
NYSID is singularly focused—a rarity in an era of interdisciplinary education. Its strengths are undeniable: top-ranked programs, NYC industry access, and technical rigor that produces job-ready designers. But this comes at a cost: thin campus life, modest earnings relative to tuition, and a sink-or-swim NYC environment. Ideal for students who want to live and breathe design, it's less suited for those seeking a traditional college experience. As the Instagram bio declares: 'One of the top ranked interior design colleges' ([19])—just don't expect football games.
New York School of Interior Design logo · sourceNew York School of Interior Design - Wikipedia · sourceContact Us — New York School of Interior Design · sourceFacilities — New York School of Interior Design · source
