QS World Ranking
#185
Acceptance Rate
4%
Annual Tuition (USD)
Free
On-Campus Housing
Available
QS Best Student City
#47
Abu Dhabi
Application Deadline
January 1
via Common App
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,500
students
International Students
87%
US Students
14%
of total enrollment
Figures are approximate based on institutional reports and QS data.
Why This School
NYU's most selective campus worldwide offering full scholarships to all students with 120+ nationalities.
QS Subject Rankings 2025
Rankings by academic subject — source: QS World University Rankings by Subject
Notes for US Students
Full need-based scholarships for all admitted students. Most selective US campus abroad (4% admit rate).
Admission Criteria
Key requirements for US students applying to NYU Abu Dhabi
Acceptance Rate
4%
Highly selective
Application System
Common App
Deadline
January 1
Instruction Language
English
School Type
Private
Annual Tuition
Free
Requirements Checklist for US Applicants
- Apply via Common App by January 1
- SAT 1500+ or ACT 34+ (average admitted student: SAT ~1540)
- IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+
- Full scholarship automatically awarded to all admitted students
- Essays, recommendation letters, and activities list required (Common App)
- Interviews offered to select applicants — most selective school in the world at ~4% admission
Class Size
Academic Calendar
January-term (J-term) intensive courses available.
Requirements may vary by program. Always verify with the university's official admissions page.
Admission Details
- Language of Instruction
- English
- Estimated Annual Tuition
- Free (no tuition fees)
- Application Deadline
- January 1
- Application System
- Common App
- School Type
- Private
- Acceptance Rate
- 4%
- QS Best Student City (Abu Dhabi)
- #47 globally
Programs Offered
Scholarships to Explore
- ✓Full-tuition scholarship for all students
- ✓Global Academic Fellows Grant
Cost of Living — Abu Dhabi, UAE
Low CostEstimated monthly total
$500
vs. avg US college student
74% cheaper
US avg ~$1,900/mo
Housing and dining are fully covered by the scholarship. Abu Dhabi is safe, modern, and tax-free. Personal spending is essentially your only cost.
Estimates based on 2025–26 student budgets. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and housing choice.
About Studying at NYU Abu Dhabi as a US Student
NYU Abu Dhabi is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is ranked #185in the QS World University Rankings. The school offers programs in Arts & Humanities, Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, Business. Instruction is offered in English. The estimated annual tuition for international students is Free (no tuition fees), with an acceptance rate of approximately 4%. Applications are submitted through Common App with a deadline of January 1. Scholarships available include the Full-tuition scholarship for all students.