Pace University: The Complete Guide to New York's Most Career-Connected University

Pace in 2026: A University Built Around Access, Experience and New York Opportunity

Pace University is best understood as a professionally connected university with two very different undergraduate environments. Its Lower Manhattan campus places students inside New York City’s business, technology, media, government, healthcare and nonprofit ecosystem. Its 200-acre Pleasantville campus provides residence halls, athletics, laboratories and a more traditional suburban college experience while remaining connected to Manhattan and the Westchester employment market. Across both settings, Pace’s central promise is practical: combine academic study with internships, clinical preparation, research, performance, community work and career development before graduation.

Pace serves approximately 13,000 students through undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs. Its current fast facts list 75 undergraduate degree programs, 65 graduate degree programs and an average class size of 18.

The university’s 2025 Carnegie profile reinforces this identity. Pace became one of only 33 institutions to receive both Research College & University and Opportunity College & University designations, recognizing the combination of research activity, access and economic mobility.

The official Pace University Fast Facts page provides current enrollment, admissions and outcome figures. This guide explains what those numbers mean for students and where individual programs require closer investigation.

From a One-Room Accounting School to a Comprehensive University

Pace began in 1906 when brothers Homer St. Clair Pace and Charles A. Pace opened a small school focused on accounting and business in New York City. The original mission was closely tied to professional advancement for ambitious students seeking practical education.

The institution became a nonprofit college, expanded across academic fields and developed campuses in New York City and Westchester County. Law, computing, health professions, education, performing arts and liberal-arts programs grew around the business foundation.

Pace’s history explains why career preparation remains unusually visible. The university was not created as an isolated residential college that later added professional services; employment, advancement and applied learning were part of its purpose from the beginning.

That history also creates an important standard for evaluating Pace today. The institution should be judged not only by the number of programs it offers, but by whether students receive meaningful instruction, professional access, advising and outcomes within their chosen field.

Seven Undergraduate Schools Create Distinct Academic Pathways

Pace’s undergraduate academic structure includes the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, School of Education, and professional or special-program offerings.

These schools do not operate as interchangeable labels. A business student, nursing student, performer and computer-science student may share university resources while following very different schedules, accreditation requirements, internship expectations and campus patterns.

Many programs are offered only on one campus or through a specific delivery format. Applicants should confirm where the major is taught, whether it includes clinical or field placements and how easily they can take courses outside their home school.

Public program presentations can be organized for offline comparison through Free SlideShare Downloader. Pace’s current academic catalog should remain the authority for credits, prerequisites and graduation requirements.

Lubin School of Business and the New York Market

Lubin offers undergraduate and graduate study in accounting, finance, management, marketing, business analytics, information systems and related fields. Its New York location gives students access to financial services, advertising, consulting, insurance, media and technology employers.

The academic advantage is strongest when location becomes structured experience. Internships, employer events, case competitions, alumni mentoring and faculty connections can help students test career paths before committing to a specialization.

The Lubin Pace Path integrates academic and professional development and is mandatory for Lubin students in Pleasantville while optional for students in New York City. The program connects coursework with career preparation across the undergraduate years.

Business students should still evaluate accounting accreditation, technical electives, recruiting access and the employer mix relevant to their goals. Being near Wall Street does not automatically produce a finance career without strong grades, applied skills and consistent networking.

Seidenberg’s Computing, Cybersecurity and New AI Degree

Seidenberg offers undergraduate programs in artificial intelligence, computer engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, game development, information systems and information technology. Pace introduced a dedicated BS in Artificial Intelligence beginning in fall 2026.

The computer-science curriculum includes programming, algorithms, data structures, operating systems, architecture and theoretical foundations. The BS in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

New York’s technology economy creates opportunities in finance, media, healthcare, government and startups, while Westchester connects students with established corporate employers. Internships can help students determine whether they prefer software engineering, security, data, product work or infrastructure.

Technology students should build a portfolio in addition to completing courses. Documented code, security labs, data projects and team contributions give employers evidence that the student can apply technical knowledge.

Dyson College: Sciences, Humanities, Media and Public Service

Dyson is Pace’s largest and most academically varied college. Its programs span biology, chemistry, behavioral neuroscience, psychology, communication, film, media, criminal justice, economics, environmental studies, history, political science and the humanities.

This breadth supports students who want a traditional liberal-arts major with access to New York institutions. A communications student can pursue media work, a political-science student can intern with government or advocacy organizations, and a science student can combine coursework with laboratory or health preparation.

Dyson students need to translate broad study into visible skills. Research methods, writing, statistics, language ability, digital production and internships can connect a major with employment or graduate education.

The value of a flexible degree depends on advising. Students should map prerequisites, internship timing and potential graduate-school requirements early rather than waiting until senior year to define a career direction.

College of Health Professions and Clinical Preparation

Pace’s health programs include nursing, physician assistant studies, health science, occupational therapy, communication sciences and disorders, nutrition, public health and healthcare informatics across several degree levels.

Health education differs from a general academic major because professional programs may include clinical placements, laboratories, simulation, licensing requirements and strict progression standards. Some pathways are direct-entry, while others require a previous degree or professional credential.

Applicants should confirm the campus, accreditation, clinical schedule, total program cost and state-licensure implications. A program described as online may still require in-person clinical experiences.

Pace’s proximity to healthcare systems in New York City, Westchester and the wider tri-state region can support clinical education and employment. Placement quality and individual readiness remain more important than location alone.

Sands College of Performing Arts

Sands offers specialized undergraduate training in acting, musical theater, dance, directing, stage management, production and design, and acting for film and media. Its location in New York City creates access to the professional performing-arts industry.

Admission to performance programs can require auditions, prescreens, interviews or portfolios in addition to university admission. These requirements follow earlier deadlines than many general Pace programs.

Professional arts training requires intensive studio work and rehearsal alongside academic courses. Applicants should evaluate faculty mentorship, performance opportunities, facilities, class size and how the program supports careers both onstage and behind the scenes.

Sands tuition differs from Pace’s standard undergraduate rate. Students should calculate the complete budget and ask how scholarships, production costs and professional travel affect affordability.

Haub Law and the Nation’s Leading Environmental Law Program

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law is based in White Plains and is a graduate professional school rather than an undergraduate college. Its environmental-law program was ranked No. 1 nationally in 2026 for the seventh time and the sixth consecutive year.

The program offers more than 40 environmental-law courses alongside clinics, centers, competitions, conferences and international partnerships. Students can work on litigation, land use, climate, energy, food systems and sustainable business.

Haub Law’s 2026 specialty results also included No. 21 in Trial Advocacy, No. 36 in Dispute Resolution and recognition in international, tax, health and part-time legal education.

The official Haub Environmental Law Program page provides current degrees, clinics and centers. Undergraduate students interested in law should understand that law school requires a separate application and financial plan after the bachelor’s degree.

School of Education and Field-Based Teacher Preparation

Pace’s education programs prepare teachers and educational leaders through coursework connected with schools in New York City and Westchester. Undergraduate and graduate pathways cover childhood, adolescent and special education.

Teacher preparation includes observation, field experience, supervised student teaching and certification requirements. Students should verify which New York State credentials the program supports and how those credentials transfer elsewhere.

Urban and suburban campus access gives students exposure to different communities and school systems. Strong preparation requires the ability to connect theory with classroom management, curriculum design, assessment and family partnership.

Education students should plan testing, fingerprinting, fieldwork and transportation costs in addition to tuition. These practical requirements can affect the semester schedule and ability to hold outside employment.

Admissions: Accessible, but Program Readiness Still Matters

Pace’s fall 2025 first-year profile reports 31,753 completed applications, 24,918 offers of admission and 1,992 enrolled students. The 78 percent admit rate makes Pace more accessible than highly selective private universities, but admission is not automatic.

The average high-school GPA for entering first-year students was 3.6. Nursing, performing arts, honors and other specialized programs can have additional standards or limited capacity.

Pace uses a holistic review and continues a test-optional policy for the foreseeable future. Applicants can be considered for most merit scholarships and the Pforzheimer Honors College without submitting SAT or ACT scores.

Transfer admission is a significant part of the university. Pace’s fall 2025 profile lists 3,701 completed transfer applications, 2,111 admissions and 469 enrolled transfer students.

Test-Optional Review and Application Planning

Test-optional means applicants decide whether SAT or ACT scores strengthen the file. Students without scores are evaluated through the transcript, course rigor, written materials, activities and other submitted evidence.

The official Pace undergraduate admissions page states that the policy will continue for the foreseeable future. Certain international applicants may use qualifying SAT or ACT English results to satisfy an English-proficiency requirement.

Pace accepts the Common Application and direct application. Deadlines vary by term and program, with nursing and performing-arts programs following specific dates and supplemental procedures.

Applicants should submit early enough for scholarship review, housing and financial-aid processing. Rolling or accessible admission does not eliminate the disadvantages of a late, incomplete application.

International Students and Career Preparation

International applicants can enter through direct admission, Pace Global Pathways or English Language Institute preparation, depending on academic and English-language readiness.

Direct-entry students normally provide recognized English-proficiency results or an approved alternative. Requirements vary by program, so one general IELTS or TOEFL figure should not be assumed to cover every undergraduate or graduate degree.

Pace’s INSPIRE program is a structured internship and career-readiness pathway for F-1 students. Students planning to use Curricular Practical Training complete the required steps during their first academic semester.

International students should distinguish university merit awards from federal need-based aid, which is generally unavailable to noncitizens. Pace states that limited freshman international merit support is determined through the admission application.

2026–27 Tuition and Why Total Cost Depends on Campus and Program

Pace’s tentative 2026–27 standard full-time undergraduate tuition is $55,040 for programs outside Sands College of Performing Arts. Sands tuition is listed at $62,040.

Tuition is only part of the annual cost. Housing, food, university fees, books, transportation, personal expenses and health coverage can substantially increase the budget, especially for students living in New York City.

Part-time tuition is $1,580 per credit for most undergraduate study, while Pace Online undergraduate tuition is listed at $666 per credit. Accelerated nursing and other specialized programs use separate prices.

Families should compare the cost-of-attendance estimate for the student’s campus and living arrangement rather than applying one sticker price to every applicant.

Financial Aid, Merit Scholarships and Net Price

Pace reports that 98 percent of first-year students receive some form of financial aid. During 2024–25, the university reported providing approximately $440 million in total aid to students.

Aid can include institutional merit scholarships, Pace grants, federal and state grants, work-study and loans. Scholarships and grants are gift aid, while work and loans require time or repayment.

Merit consideration generally does not require the FAFSA, but need-based aid does. Pace’s current 2026–27 information offered a recurring $2,000 filing incentive for students meeting the February 15 FAFSA priority date.

Families should use the net-price and merit estimators, then compare the official offer across four years. Renewal GPA, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress can affect continuing eligibility.

New York City Campus: Lower Manhattan as a Learning Environment

Pace’s New York City campus is based around One Pace Plaza and newer facilities near the Financial District, City Hall, Brooklyn Bridge and major transit lines. The university reports more than 9,125 students on the campus and more than 1,000 first-year residential students.

The campus includes the Beekman Library, student commons, collaboration spaces, an esports arena and nearby residence halls. Students should expect an urban campus integrated into city streets rather than a contained quad.

This environment makes internships and cultural opportunities accessible, but it also requires independence. Commuting, budgeting, personal safety, scheduling and finding community are part of the New York college experience.

Students who want daily urban energy may prefer Manhattan, while those seeking open space, traditional athletics and a more centralized residential community may prefer Pleasantville.

Pleasantville: A Residential Westchester Campus

Pace’s Westchester campus covers approximately 200 acres in Pleasantville. It includes residence halls, athletic facilities, laboratories, media-production spaces, simulation facilities and the Kessel Student Center.

Pace reports more than 4,480 students on the campus, more than 450 first-year residential students and over 50 student clubs and organizations.

Westchester combines a more conventional campus environment with access to corporate employers, healthcare systems, government and nonprofit organizations. Rail and university transportation can connect students with New York City opportunities.

Applicants should visit both campuses when possible. The choice affects housing, social life, transportation, internship patterns and the range of programs available in person.

Housing, Clubs and Student Support

Pace operates more than 10 residence halls across New York City and Westchester, including traditional rooms, suites and townhouses. Housing availability, room style and cost differ by campus and year.

The university promotes more than 100 student clubs and organizations across academic interests, culture, service, performance, professional development and recreation.

Student support includes academic advising, tutoring, accessibility services, health care, counseling, orientation, leadership development and campus safety.

Accessible admission does not make college automatically easy. Students who use advising and academic support early are better positioned to handle professional programs, internships and New York’s demanding pace.

Athletics and Recreation

Pace competes in NCAA Division II through the Northeast-10 Conference. The Setters’ varsity programs are based primarily on the Pleasantville campus.

Sports include football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, field hockey and volleyball, alongside spirit programs and recreational opportunities.

Division II athletics can provide competitive college sports with a strong academic expectation. Student-athletes should understand travel, training, scholarship terms and program culture before committing.

Non-athletes can participate through recreation, fitness, esports and student organizations. Campus identity is less dominated by athletics in Manhattan than in Pleasantville.

Internships and Experiential Learning

Pace’s career identity depends on more than its address. Career Services supports internships related to students’ academic and professional interests in companies, government, healthcare, schools and nonprofit organizations.

Positions can be paid or unpaid, for credit or noncredit, and part-time during the academic year or full-time in summer. Students should confirm eligibility, work authorization and credit requirements before accepting an opportunity.

Pace also funds selected nonprofit and social-enterprise internships, reducing the pressure to choose only opportunities that can afford wages.

The most valuable internship produces evidence: projects, technical skills, references, writing samples or a clearer understanding of what the student does not want to pursue.

Class of 2025 Career Outcomes

Pace reports that 90 percent of bachelor’s graduates in the Class of 2025 were employed, continuing education or serving in another recognized pathway. Eighty-two percent reported an outcome related to their field of study.

The reported average full-time salary for bachelor’s graduates was $75,827. Outcomes vary by school, industry, geography and the number of graduates responding to the survey.

Master’s graduates reported a 93 percent employment, continuing-education or service rate, with 97 percent in a field-related outcome and an average full-time salary of $86,030.

These figures support Pace’s career-connected reputation, but they are not guarantees. Students should examine school-specific outcomes and compare salary with tuition, aid, debt and cost of living.

The Pforzheimer Honors College

The Pforzheimer Honors College serves high-achieving undergraduates across Pace’s schools on both the New York City and Pleasantville campuses.

Honors students receive a smaller academic community, mentoring, specialized courses and opportunities for research or leadership. The college is separate from third-party honor societies.

First-year applicants can be reviewed through the test-optional process, although Pace may request supplemental information. Transfer and current-student pathways use separate eligibility standards.

Applicants should ask how honors requirements fit their major and whether any financial award is included. Honors participation should improve the academic experience rather than add credentials without purpose.

Online and Adult Education

Pace offers selected undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs online, including undergraduate Pace Online study priced separately from the residential campuses.

Online programs emphasize flexible access, industry-oriented coursework and career preparation. They should not be assumed to provide the same housing, campus activities or student-visa eligibility as in-person programs.

Adult and transfer students should compare accepted credits, residency requirements, delivery format and the number of courses remaining rather than judging only by per-credit tuition.

Public study presentations can be saved through Free SlideShare Downloader for offline review, while the official learning platform and assigned sources remain central to the course.

Who Is Most Likely to Thrive at Pace

Pace can be a strong fit for students who value career preparation, want access to the New York metropolitan market and prefer a university with a wide range of professional programs.

The Manhattan campus suits students comfortable with an urban environment and self-directed routines. Pleasantville may better fit students seeking a traditional residential campus, athletics and open space.

Pace may be less appropriate for someone seeking a highly selective liberal-arts college, a single centralized campus or a low published tuition without relying on scholarships and aid.

The strongest decision compares the exact program, campus, net price, internships, accreditation and career outcomes. Pace’s university-wide reputation cannot replace program-level fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Pace’s value comes from the relationship among academics, location and experience. Its strongest programs use New York and Westchester as professional laboratories rather than treating internships as optional extras.

The university is also more complex than the phrase “New York City college” suggests. Health, computing, business, arts, education, law and liberal-arts students follow different pathways, and the Manhattan and Pleasantville campuses create distinct daily lives.

Students preparing for Pace can use Free SlideShare Downloader to organize public presentations across business, law, health, technology and the arts. Pace’s official admissions, catalog and financial-aid pages remain the authority.

Pace can deliver strong career value when students choose the right program, manage the net cost and use internships, faculty relationships and Career Services early. Its opportunity is real, but students must actively convert access into experience.