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

There are universities that sit in great cities. And then there is Pace University — an institution that does not just sit in New York City but is genuinely woven into it. Pace's campuses in Lower Manhattan and Westchester County place students at the center of the world's most competitive and consequential professional environment, and the university has spent more than a century building an academic model designed to convert that location into career outcomes.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Pace University — its rankings, programs, admissions, financial aid, campus life, and the distinctive strengths that make it one of the most seriously underrated universities in the northeastern United States. Visit the official university website at pace.edu to explore programs, apply, and connect with admissions advisors.

What Is Pace University?

Pace University is a private, comprehensive university founded in 1906 in New York City. It operates two primary campuses — one in Lower Manhattan's Financial District and one in Pleasantville in Westchester County — along with a campus in White Plains. The university enrolls approximately 13,000 students across more than 220 undergraduate and graduate programs spanning business, law, health sciences, education, arts and sciences, and technology.

Pace was originally founded as a school of accounting and business, which explains why its professional programs have always been central to its identity. Over time it has grown into a full-service research university, adding the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and the College of Health Professions to its core offerings.

What defines Pace above all else is the combination of serious academics with the unmistakable practical advantage of a New York City address. When your campus is in Lower Manhattan, internship opportunities, employer connections, and professional networking are not theoretical possibilities — they are built into daily life.

Pace University Rankings: A Clear Story of Upward Momentum

Pace's rankings across multiple independent systems tell a consistent story: this is a university gaining ground, gaining recognition, and delivering outcomes that matter.

The headline ranking for Pace is in law. The Elisabeth Haub School of Law has been ranked #1 in the nation for Environmental Law for the sixth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report — the seventh time overall the program has earned the top distinction. Environmental law is one of the fastest-growing and most consequential areas of legal practice, and Pace's dominance over more than half a decade is a genuine institutional achievement. Other law rankings include #21 in Trial Advocacy, #36 in Dispute Resolution, #56 in International Law, and #75 in Tax Law. In Primary Care Medicine, Pace's physician assistant and nursing programs are ranked #34 nationally. QS Subject Rankings place Pace's master's programs at #40 in Marketing, #68 in Management, and within the #81–90 range in Business Analytics globally.

Programs at Pace University

Pace's academic structure spans several colleges and schools, each with distinct strengths and a direct connection to the industries that define the New York metropolitan economy.

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is Pace's technology school and one of its most rapidly growing programs. Degrees in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, software development, and data science are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. New York's extraordinary density of financial technology, media, and healthcare technology employers means Seidenberg students consistently report strong internship and job placement outcomes tied directly to the school's industry connections.

The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences is the largest school at Pace, covering biology, chemistry, psychology, environmental studies, communication, English, history, and political science. Its environmental studies programs benefit from proximity to the Haub School of Law, creating an unusual academic ecosystem where environmental science and environmental law students can collaborate across disciplines. The College of Health Professions — including nursing, physician assistant, and health sciences — serves the extraordinary demand for healthcare workers in the New York metropolitan area, placing graduates in health systems across the tri-state region. The College of Education trains teachers and administrators for schools across New York and Westchester through extensive partnerships with urban and suburban school districts.

Pace's Diversity Achievement

The perfect diversity score of 100 from the Wall Street Journal places Pace among an extraordinarily small group of universities — just four in the entire country — that fully meet the criteria for ethnic diversity of both students and faculty, meaningful inclusion of lower-income students, and strong accommodation of students with disabilities.

This is not tokenism. It reflects Pace's deeply held institutional mission, expressed since its founding, to make serious higher education accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. Over 34 Pace students have been named UN Millennium Fellows — among the highest numbers of any university in the country — demonstrating that students at Pace are not just recipients of an education but participants in global problem-solving. The #34 Social Mobility ranking from U.S. News further reinforces that Pace converts opportunity into genuine economic outcomes for students who need it most.

Admissions at Pace University

Pace's admissions process is designed to be accessible without being undiscriminating. With an acceptance rate of approximately 78–82%, well-prepared students have a strong probability of admission. Pace is not looking to reject students — it is looking for students who are ready to engage with the academic and professional opportunities the university provides.

For admissions requirements, deadlines, and to start your application, visit pace.edu/admissions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Pace is a private university in one of the most expensive cities in the world, which means understanding the financial reality requires looking beyond the sticker price. Annual tuition and fees run approximately $56,000–$60,000 for full-time undergraduate students at the standard rate.

New York City as a Campus Extension

It would be a mistake to think of Pace's campuses as contained within their physical boundaries. The real campus extends across all of New York City — and for students, that means something profoundly practical.

Pace students intern at law firms, financial institutions, media companies, technology startups, hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies across the five boroughs and Westchester. They attend professional events, industry conferences, and alumni networking gatherings that draw from one of the most concentrated professional talent pools in the world. They build networks before they graduate that peers at universities in smaller markets spend years building afterward. Niche ranks Pace #11 in Best College Locations in America — a direct reflection of the value that a New York City address adds to the academic experience.

The Wall Street Journal's finding that Pace outranks NYU in its Best Colleges methodology is a notable data point. For students weighing urban New York university options, Pace's combination of a serious academic profile, genuine career access, affordability relative to peer institutions, and the #1 environmental law program in the country makes it a compelling case.

Campus Life

Pace's Manhattan campus occupies a prime location in Lower Manhattan, minutes from the Financial District, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the broader cultural life of New York City. On-campus housing is available at Maria's Tower and 182 Broadway, placing students directly in the heart of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the world.

The Pleasantville campus in Westchester County offers a more traditional residential college experience — landscaped grounds, on-campus housing, athletics, and the full social life of a residential university — combined with proximity to the suburban business corridor of Westchester County and easy rail access to Manhattan. Pace competes in NCAA Division II athletics with teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and other sports. Over 50 student clubs and organizations, performing arts groups, and an active esports program round out the extracurricular environment.

Preparing for Pace

Students interested in Pace's law programs, health professions, business, or technology should begin building strong academic foundations early and take advantage of every opportunity to develop their specific area of interest. Academic presentations and research materials in environmental law, health sciences, computer science, and business can provide valuable context before and during your studies. Using a free SlideShare downloader students can access educational presentations, research slides, and study materials across law, health sciences, technology, and business — completely free. For everything official, go to pace.edu.