Score target

What is a good SAT score for New York University?

Federal data, not an estimate: the middle 50% of New York University's enrolled students and what to do with it.

By PrepScore · Updated 1 September 2026 · How we research and update content

In short

The middle 50% of enrolled students at New York University scored 1480–1560 on the SAT — Reading and Writing 720–760, Math 760–800 — per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. A score at or above 1560 clears the band entirely; inside it, the upper half is the safer target. New York University admits about 9% of applicants, so the score is one input among several, not a cutoff.

The band, and how to read it

Middle 50% of enrolled students at New York University (College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-09-01).
	25th percentile	75th percentile
SAT total	1480	1560
Reading and Writing	720	760
Math	760	800

A middle 50% means a quarter of enrolled students scored below 1480 and a quarter scored above 1560. It is a description of who enrolled, not an admission rule — people are admitted from below the band every cycle, and rejected from above it.

Enrolled, not admitted

Federal data reports the students who enrolled. Admitted-student bands run slightly higher at most schools, because some of the strongest admits enrol elsewhere. Treat the band as a floor for planning, not a ceiling.

Setting a target inside the band

At or above 1560: the score stops being a question anywhere in the application. Further points are worth less than time spent on everything else.
1520–1560 (upper half): competitive. This is the practical target for most applicants.
1480–1520 (lower half): in range, and the rest of the application carries more of the weight.
Below 1480: a quarter of the enrolled class is here too — but if a retake is realistic, this is where it pays most.

Context: New York University by the numbers

Measure	Value
Admission rate	about 9%
Enrolled undergraduates	about 29k
Location	New York, NY

How to close a gap to the band

Work by section, not by mixed test. If Math is the weaker section, the Math domain pages split it into the skills the test actually samples; same for Reading and Writing. The method is set out in how to improve your SAT Math score and Reading and Writing.

Practise toward the New York University band

Free SAT practice with an explanation on every question, and a score estimate that tracks your distance to a target.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do I need for New York University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 1480–1560. A score in the upper half of that band is competitive, and 1560+ clears it entirely. There is no published cutoff.

Can I get into New York University with a score below 1480?

A quarter of enrolled students did. Below the 25th percentile the rest of the application has to carry more weight, and a retake pays off most in this position.

Is 1560 a good SAT score for New York University?

Yes — 1560 is the 75th percentile of enrolled students, so it is above three quarters of the class. Past that point, more points buy little.

Where do these numbers come from?

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (IPEDS), retrieved 2026-09-01. The page links the school's federal profile below — check it before deciding anything.