Pace University 2025 Guide: Acceptance Rate, Dorms & Costs

Pace University is a private institution with two distinct campus environments: a vibrant New York City campus in Lower Manhattan and a more traditional Westchester campus in Pleasantville. Families often choose Pace for its strong career outcomes, extensive internship network, and programs aligned with high-growth fields such as business, performing arts, nursing, computer science, cybersecurity, and communications. No matter which campus a student selects, Pace emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world readiness.

Pace University Acceptance Rate 2025

Pace University’s acceptance rate is typically around 80%, placing it in the “moderately selective” category. While admission is accessible for many students, competitiveness can vary by program and campus.

The NYC campus is slightly more selective because of demand in majors like business, marketing, performing arts, and media studies. Meanwhile, the Westchester campus tends to admit a higher percentage of applicants because of available space and its suburban setting.

Some programs remain notably competitive, particularly:

• Performing Arts (including Musical Theatre and Acting)
• Nursing
• Physician Assistant studies

Most admitted students earn a GPA between 3.2 and 3.6, though applicants to selective majors often present higher GPAs. For many families, Pace falls within a target-school range and can serve as a safety school for students with stronger academic profiles.

Application Requirements (Common App, Deadlines, and Documents)

Pace University uses the Common Application, making it straightforward for students to apply. Required materials include transcripts, the Common App essay, and at least one recommendation letter. Pace is also test-optional for many majors, though students applying to STEM or health-related fields may still choose to submit strong scores.

Most high schools submit documents through Naviance or Scoir, both accepted by Pace.

Pace offers several application plans, each with different timelines:

• Early Decision (Binding): November 1 (closed)
• Early Action I (Non-binding): November 15 (closed)
• Early Action II (Non-binding): December 1
• Regular Decision: February 15

Applying early—especially under Early Action—can help students receive faster decisions and remain eligible for competitive majors and scholarships.

Pace University Room and Board 2025–2026 (Cost Comparison for Families)

Housing costs vary significantly depending on the campus. Pace’s New York City housing is priced higher because of its location and modern facilities, while the Westchester campus offers more affordable and spacious options.

At the NYC campus, room and board ranges from $8,800 to $12,600 per semester. Most students pay $10,130–$10,650 for a standard double, bringing annual housing costs to approximately $18,000–$25,000.

At the Westchester campus, housing ranges from $6,330 to $9,790 per semester. Typical doubles fall between $7,600 and $8,300, resulting in yearly savings of $3,000–$7,000 compared with NYC housing.

For more details, families can review Pace’s official housing rates.

The comparison is straightforward:

• NYC campus: higher cost, central location, modern buildings
• Westchester campus: lower cost, larger rooms, quieter residential environment

Both campuses charge a flat $1,200 for winter housing, with summer prices announced each January.

Pace University Dorms (Residential Experience)

Pace’s NYC dorms—including 15 Beekman, 182 Broadway, 33 Beekman, and 55 John Street—offer modern, secure, suite-style living in the heart of Lower Manhattan. First-year students usually live in 15 Beekman or 182 Broadway, where rooms often feature lofted beds and efficient shared layouts. Students benefit from quick access to subway lines and internship locations.

The Westchester residential experience is more traditional. Dorms like Alumni Hall, Elm Hall, Martin Hall, and the campus townhouses provide larger living spaces and a strong sense of campus community. Students enjoy green spaces, athletic facilities, and a quieter atmosphere ideal for focused study.

Pforzheimer Honors College (Academic Rigor & Benefits)

The Pforzheimer Honors College offers an advanced academic pathway for high-achieving students seeking additional rigor and support. Honors students enjoy priority registration, access to small seminar-style courses, dedicated advising, and enhanced research or leadership opportunities. Many Honors students also receive consideration for additional merit scholarships.

Admission often requires:

• A 3.5+ GPA
• Strong writing
• Evidence of academic initiative

Honors students frequently report closer faculty relationships and stronger access to competitive internships.

Recent Academic Achievements (2025 Highlights)

Pace University recently received national recognition through several high-profile academic accomplishments, strengthening its reputation among competitive universities.

In November 2025, Pace’s Federal Reserve Challenge Team won the 22nd Annual National College Fed Challenge, surpassing institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, and the University of Michigan. This marks Pace’s sixth national championship. Parents can read more in Pace’s official Fed Challenge press release.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law also gained attention during New York Arbitration Week 2025 for hosting a major program on greener arbitration practices. The event showcased emerging scholarship and reinforced Haub Law’s standing as a leader in environmental law. More information is available in the Greener Arbitration event release.

These achievements highlight Pace’s commitment to experiential learning and academic excellence across diverse disciplines.

Alumni Outcomes and Career Opportunities

One of Pace University’s defining strengths is its internship pipeline, particularly at the NYC campus. Because of its proximity to major industries, students often gain hands-on experience long before graduation.

Pace graduates have secured roles at companies such as:

• JPMorgan Chase
• Deloitte
• NBCUniversal
• Pfizer
• Spotify

Programs like cybersecurity, accounting, business analytics, nursing, and performing arts show especially strong job placement outcomes. Pace’s curriculum emphasizes real-world skills and professional readiness.

How Pace Compares to Nearby Colleges (SUNY Purchase, Le Moyne, and Others)

Families often compare Pace with nearby institutions for fit and long-term value. SUNY Purchase offers strong arts programs and lower public-school tuition but lacks the same immediate access to NYC internships. Le Moyne College provides a smaller community with competitive programs in health sciences and business.

Pace stands out for its blend of:

• Robust internship and career networks
• Two distinct campus experiences
• Professional-focused academic programs

For students pursuing careers where experience matters, Pace’s NYC location offers a significant advantage.

Campus Life and Student Experience

Campus life at Pace feels very different on each campus.

At the NYC campus, students often choose Pace for its location in Lower Manhattan and the access it provides to internships, events, and professional networks. The “campus” is a small cluster of buildings, and many students commute from New Jersey, Long Island, or nearby suburbs. That means there’s less of a traditional, closed campus feel and more of an independent, city-based lifestyle. Students who dorm, join clubs, and actively network tend to build stronger communities and report better experiences.

The Westchester campus offers a more conventional residential environment, with larger dorms, green space, athletics, and a closer-knit on-campus community. It’s a better match for students who want a quieter setting and a more typical college-town atmosphere, while still being within reach of New York City.

In general, student life at Pace is very much “what you make of it”—ideal for self-motivated students who are ready to use the city, internships, and campus resources actively, rather than relying on built-in school spirit or big-campus traditions.

Is Pace University a Good Fit for Your Child?

Pace can be a strong fit for students who care most about location, internships, and career outcomes, especially in majors like business, accounting, economics, finance, performing arts, cybersecurity, and communications. Many students and alumni report completing multiple internships and securing jobs quickly after graduation. Pace is also known for offering generous scholarships, which can make a private NYC education more affordable—provided families understand the GPA requirements needed to keep those awards.

Pace may be a good fit if your child:

• Wants to study in New York City or near NYC
• Is comfortable with a more urban, commuter-heavy environment
• Is motivated to seek internships, networking, and professional growth
• Plans to major in a field where Pace has strong employer connections (e.g., accounting, business, economics, performing arts)

It may be less ideal if your child:

• Wants a traditional, self-contained college campus with strong school spirit
• Prioritizes low cost above access to NYC opportunities
• Prefers a rural or big-state-school experience with Division I sports and Greek life

For the right student—especially one who is driven, career-oriented, and ready to use New York City as part of their education—Pace can serve as a practical launchpad into competitive industries, particularly when combined with a solid scholarship package.

Final Takeaway and Next Step

Pace University is test-optional, but strong academics still matter—especially course rigor and math readiness. While many admitted students submit SAT scores around 1173, a score of 1150+ is considered competitive. Students aiming for the Pforzheimer Honors College should target 1280, with strong grades and advanced coursework.

Even in a test-optional landscape, colleges pay close attention to GPA trends, Honors/AP participation, and whether students challenge themselves through accelerated math tracks. Planning early—especially in middle school and early high school—opens the door to advanced classes that boost both GPA and overall competitiveness.

If your child is still building their academic foundation, here are helpful next steps:

• Explore our SAT guides for score goals, timelines, and study tips.
• Read our SAT Performance Understanding Guide to help set clear, achievable score goals.
• Have your child take the Think Academy Math Evaluation to identify their current level and learn whether an accelerated or Honors math track is recommended.

Early planning sets students up for stronger GPAs, access to AP courses, and a more confident path toward college admissions.