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Indiana University Bloomington vs NYU

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% IU acceptance
12.2% NYU acceptance
$121,336 IU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Public
Founded
1820
Enrollment
47,527
Setting
Suburban
NYU
New York, New York
Private
Founded
1831
Enrollment
59,144
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition IU saves $21,254
IU
$39,184
NYU
$60,438
Acceptance Rate NYU more selective
IU
80.0%
NYU
12.2%
Graduation Rate NYU higher
IU
80%
NYU
87%
Avg SAT Score NYU higher
IU
1240
NYU
1480
Starting Salary NYU higher
IU
$58,900
NYU
$74,100

Detailed Comparison

Metric IU NYU Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$39,184$60,438IU
Tuition (In-State)$11,614$60,438IU
Room & Board$12,498$21,578IU
Acceptance Rate80.0%12.2%NYU
Graduation Rate80%87%NYU
Average SAT12401480NYU
Student-Faculty Ratio15:18:1NYU
Enrollment47,52759,144-
Avg Financial Aid$13,900$38,960NYU
Starting Salary$58,900$74,100NYU
Endowment$3.6B$6.2BNYU
Campus Size1,940 acres230 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

IU
$206,728
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
NYU
$328,064
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: IU = $151,128 | NYU = $172,224. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

IU Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPublic HealthInformaticsMedia

NYU Top Majors

BusinessLiberal StudiesFilmEconomicsComputer Science

Campus & Student Life

Setting
IUSuburban
NYUUrban
Campus Size
IU1,940 ac
NYU230 ac
Athletics
IUNCAA D1
NYUNCAA D3
Region
IUMidwest
NYUNortheast
Founded
IU1820
NYU1831
Enrollment
IU47,527
NYU59,144

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is IU or NYU harder to get into?+
NYU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 12.2% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, IU or NYU?+
At sticker price, IU costs less over 4 years ($206,728 vs $328,064). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. IU offers an average of $13,900/year in aid while NYU offers $38,960/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for IU and NYU?+
The average SAT score at IU is 1240 and at NYU it is 1480. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do IU or NYU graduates earn more?+
Graduates of NYU have a higher average starting salary ($74,100 vs $58,900). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
IU has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while NYU has 8:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do IU and NYU compare for campus life?+
IU is located in Bloomington, Indiana (suburban setting) with a 1,940-acre campus. NYU is in New York, New York (urban setting) with 230 acres. IU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and NYU in NCAA D3.