Admit rate has ranged 77%–88% 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.
Pace University is a private institution with a strong foothold in New York City, offering students a blend of urban energy and practical, career-focused education. Known for its business and performing arts programs, Pace provides a less selective admissions process (acceptance rate ~76%) and robust outcomes, with 90% of graduates employed or continuing education within six months. Its NYC campus delivers a vibrant, if sometimes chaotic, student life, with strong ties to local industries.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
7,665
In-state tuition
$53,290
Out-of-state tuition
$53,290
Acceptance Rate
76%
Avg Grad Salary
$75,827
Graduation Rate
61%
Most Popular Majors
Business, Visual/Performing Arts, Health Sciences
Early Acceptance Rate
85.1%
Financial Aid Recipients
64.88%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,378
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
75%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
50%
First-generation share
29%
Endowment / student
$34,194
Financial health
2.6 / 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.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$90,727
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
90
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.4"
Annual snow
18.3"
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
190
Scholarly works
10,104
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
8.4%
Bottom → top quintile
56%
From bottom quintile
15%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Pace University?
Pace University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (New York, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Pace University?
Admitted students at Pace University typically score 1180–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Pace University cost?
At Pace University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,892 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Pace University?
Pace University enrolls approximately 7,665 undergraduate students.
Where is Pace University located?
Pace University is located in New York, NY.
Admissions
Pace University is notably accessible, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 75-76% ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/pace-university-2791/applying), [PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Pace-University-sat-scores-GPA)). The early acceptance rate is higher at 85.1%, making early action a strategic choice for applicants. Admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1190–1340 or ACT scores in the mid-20s ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/pace-university/admissions), [ThoughtCo](https://www.thoughtco.com/pace-university-gpa-sat-act-data-786579)). The university received 30,030 applications for a recent cycle, admitting 22,798 and enrolling 8,038 ([Peterson’s](https://www.petersons.com/college-search/pace-university-000_10000682.aspx)). While not highly selective, Pace emphasizes holistic review, considering academic performance, extracurriculars, and personal statements.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s 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.
$64,005
Accounting and Related Services$61,058
Computer Science$59,417
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Pace’s academic offerings are career-forward, with standout programs in business, performing arts, and health sciences. The most popular majors include Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (per [US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/pace-university-2791/academics)), alongside Visual and Performing Arts. The university emphasizes small classes and mentorship, with a curriculum designed to integrate real-world experience ([Pace Academics](https://www.pace.edu/academics)).
Notable programs:
Acting for Film and Media (BFA): A competitive program leveraging NYC’s entertainment industry ([Programs A-Z](https://catalog.pace.edu/undergraduate/programs-a-z/)).
Combined Degree options: Accelerated pathways like BS/MPH in Public Health ([Programs A-Z](https://catalog.pace.edu/undergraduate/programs-a-z/)).
Students praise the practical focus, though some note variability in professor engagement ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/178uvgo/is_pace_university_a_good_school/)).
Life at Pace’s NYC campus is fast-paced and socially vibrant, with clubs, Greek life, and cultural groups like Hillel drawing participation ([Princeton Review](https://www.princetonreview.com/college/pace-university-1023988)). Students highlight drag brunches and food truck days as signature events. Residential life is described as communal, with active student leaders organizing events ([Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/PaceUniversity/comments/1bqr7r9/daughter_just_committed_to_pace_nyc_campus_best/)).
Safety: 83% of students report feeling extremely secure on campus ([Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/pace-university/campus-life/)), though the urban setting requires typical city awareness. The university’s location in Lower Manhattan provides easy access to internships, networking, and NYC’s cultural scene ([Campus Life](https://www.pace.edu/campus-life/nyc-campus)).
Pace delivers strong employment results: 90% of 2025 graduates were employed, in grad school, or in service within six months, with 82% working in their field ([Career Services](https://www.pace.edu/career-services/facts-and-figures)). The average full-time salary for bachelor’s grads is $75,827—$11,164 above the national average ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pace-university_great-results-from-career-services-at-pace-activity-7258223765078130689-nhvj), [CollegeIQ](https://collegeiq.com/colleges/pace-university/academics)).
The graduation rate is 61%, placing Pace in the top 45% of comparable institutions ([Research.com](https://research.com/best-colleges/pace-university/graduation-rate-and-career)). Alumni often credit the university’s NYC connections for their career launches.
Pace’s sticker price is high, but 64.88% of students receive financial aid, with an average aid package of $44,366 ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/pace-university/tuition-and-costs)). The net price after aid is $34,299 for many students. Merit scholarships are generous, with a dedicated estimator tool to project awards ([Tuition & Cost](https://www.pace.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate-admission/tuition-and-cost)).
Key notes:
Aid includes grants, work-study, and loans ([Financial Aid](https://www.pace.edu/financial-aid)).
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 helps families plan ([Calculator](https://www.pace.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate-admission/tuition-and-cost/net-price-calculator)).
Pace’s NYC adjacency is its superpower: students intern at Wall Street firms, Broadway theaters, and global NGOs—often before graduating. The Lubin School of Business and Performing Arts programs are standouts, with faculty who are active industry professionals. While the urban campus lacks traditional quad vibes, the trade-off is unparalleled access to opportunities. For students seeking a no-nonsense, career-focused education with a moderate admissions barrier, Pace delivers.
Gallery
Pace University logo · sourceWestchester campus | Pace University | Kaplan International · sourceCampus Planning and Facilities | Pace University New York · sourcePlan A Visit | Admission and Aid | Pace University New York · source
