Hello, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if NYU is worth its price. I’m a junior and my dream has always been to study in Manhattan. I don’t mind that the university doesn’t have a traditional campus, but I do want to know if the school offers excellent academics and future opportunities. Thank you.
Keeping in mind that “worth” is relative - yes, NYU has some excellent departments and offers some excellent future opportunities. Can you get the same level of academics and similar opportunities at other, cheaper schools? Yes. With the caveat that NYU’s highly competitive acting/film programs, and its business school, are world-class.
$70k? Bluntly, absolutely not.
To many folks, the answer is no.
But…if your parents are wealthy and won’t miss the $70k per year, then super. If you/your family would be borrowing a LOT, then no.
There are very few programs at NYU that are worth its price tag. For strong academics in NYC, Columbia is a much better value if you have the stats to get in. Other more affordable options might include Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus and CUNY.
Remember that you can go to college anywhere and still intern and work in New York City during the summers or after graduation.
If your parents have the funds to comfortably pay for the school then it is fine. But I wouldn’t go deep into debt for any college, including NYU. If NYU is not affordable, as others have noted, you can always go to college elsewhere and then get a job in NYC.
Or you can save your money and visit. Or pick a college close enough to train or bus it in. You don’t necessarily need to be there 24/7.
If you are female. consider Barnard too.
The answer is simple – can your family drop over a quarter of a million for your excursion education w/o blinking an eye? For some families, the answer is solidly YES. If this isn’t you, then you have some serious calculations to work out.
(That’s a neat new phrase, “excursion education.” Or, “destination education.” Part of me says, “AS IF.” Environment is an important factor, sure. But the experience isn’t a four year vacation indulgence.
NYU used to have some short questions to sort out who wanted them vs who wanted NY City.)
Now NYU just wants the tuition dollars and doesn’t care if you really want them or the city. They’re doing excursion education in Dubai and Shanghai too.
Other schools not mentioned that might be cheaper and have access to nyc–
Wagner
Sarah Lawrence (may give aid)
Purchase
Pace
St. Johns in Queens/ Manhattan NYU area
CUNYs were mentioned but there’s the Macaulay honors program with 0 tuition + prestige
Manhattan
Manhattanville
Hofstra
Yeshiva
FIT and several other specialized schools like Julliard and Manhattan School of music, the Jewish Theological Seminary, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, etc.
Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus may be an option if you want Manhattan – depending on your stats you may qualify for merit aid.