Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Innovative University in New York City
Founded in 1919, New School has redefined higher education through its commitment to academic freedom, interdisciplinary learning, and addressing societal challenges. Located in New York City's Greenwich Village, our institution unites scholars, artists, and designers to foster innovative thinking and create meaningful change. With colleges including Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Performing Arts, we offer 126 degree programs that emphasize small-class instruction and global perspectives. Our faculty comprises leading experts who integrate real-world experience with rigorous scholarship, preparing students to navigate complex career paths in a rapidly evolving world. The university's legacy of inclusivity and experimentation continues through initiatives like the first U.S. university course in women's history and pioneering programs in jazz and photography.As a top-ranked institution for international student enrollment, we cultivate a diverse community representing over 100 countries. Our urban campus serves as a living laboratory for design thinking and social engagement, with partnerships spanning six continents. Through research centers addressing climate change, urban policy, and social justice, we translate academic inquiry into actionable solutions. New School's commitment to equity is demonstrated through the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice and its status as the first U.S. university to establish a graduate program in environmental policy. Our graduates emerge as creative problem-solvers equipped to lead in fields ranging from fashion to public policy.
Services
Art & Design Education
Liberal Arts Programs
Performing Arts Training
Social Research Initiatives
Urban Policy Studies
Continuing Education
Study Abroad Programs
Research Centers
Creative Workshops
Global Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 1919
Highlights and features
- We offer 100+ degree programs with interdisciplinary curricula addressing global challenges
- Our faculty includes leading experts in design, social research, and performing arts
- Located in NYC's creative hub with study abroad opportunities in Paris and beyond
- Ranked #1 most international university in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report 2022)
- We maintain a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with emphasis on personalized instruction
Associations and certifications
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
What people say
Academic freedom
Global diversity
Expert faculty
NYC location
Creative programs
Services
Art & Design Education
Parsons School of Design offers bachelor's and master's degrees in fashion, interior design, and lighting design. Our Making Center provides 28,000 sq ft of fabrication labs with cutting-edge tools. Students work on real-world projects through industry partnerships and gain practical experience through internships.
Liberal Arts Programs
Eugene Lang College provides undergraduate liberal arts education with small seminar classes. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, social justice, and interdisciplinary learning. Students create personalized academic paths combining multiple disciplines through the university's unique cross-college course offerings.
Performing Arts Training
The College of Performing Arts offers programs in drama, jazz, and music. Students receive training from industry professionals and collaborate across artistic disciplines. The school maintains partnerships with major cultural institutions and provides performance opportunities in NYC's professional venues.
Social Research Initiatives
New School for Social Research conducts advanced scholarship in economics, psychology, and political science. Our faculty includes prominent theorists and practitioners who address contemporary issues through interdisciplinary research. The university maintains research centers focused on urban policy and social justice.
Global Partnerships
With Parsons Paris campus and partnerships worldwide, we offer study abroad opportunities across six continents. Our global network includes institutions in Mumbai, Dubai, and major exchange programs. Students gain cross-cultural experience through semester programs and short-term workshops led by New School faculty.
People
Joel Towers
University President
Joel Towers became New School's tenth president in 2024, bringing extensive experience in academic leadership and environmental sustainability. He previously served as executive vice president and provost, overseeing academic strategy and innovation.
Charles Beard
Founder
One of the university's founding intellectuals in 1919, Beard helped establish New School for Social Research as a progressive alternative to traditional education. His vision emphasized intellectual freedom and engagement with contemporary social issues.
Maya Wiley
Senior Vice President for Social Justice
Civil rights leader Maya Wiley leads the university's social justice initiatives, including the Digital Equity Laboratory. A renowned advocate for racial justice, she shapes programs that address systemic inequities through research and community engagement.
Questions
What makes The New School unique?
We combine rigorous academics with creative practice across disciplines, emphasizing social engagement and located in NYC's artistic hub.
What degree programs do you offer?
126 undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges in design, liberal arts, performing arts, and social sciences.
Is The New School accredited?
Yes, by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and specialized accrediting bodies for specific programs.
How diverse is the student body?
51% White, 16% Hispanic/Latinx, 14% Asian, 7% Black, with students from over 100 countries representing 31% international enrollment.
What is the student-faculty ratio?
9:1 ratio with 70% of classes having fewer than 20 students for personalized instruction.
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