Is Pace University a Good School?

New York City is home to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the land. Some of them include New York University, Columbia University, Cornell University and the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Located in the Big Apple, too, is Pace University. But is it as impressive as the big ones?

Pace University is a good school for students who wish to major in Accounting, Business, Management, Marketing, and related disciplines. It is also ideal for non-traditional students as it offers online programs and degrees. Pace University is known to offer superb internship opportunities, too.

Are you planning to send an application to Pace University? Then don’t stop reading.

Below, we will discuss just about everything you need to know about this private university whose main campus is in New York City. By the time you get to the end of this article, you will have a better idea if this is the school for you based on factors such as the cost of attendance, admissions policy and programs offered.

Pace University: Facts and Stats

It was in 1906 when Pace University was founded by brothers Homer St. Clair Pace, a CPA and pioneer in the field of accounting education, and Charles Ashford Pace.

With a loan of $600, together, they established Pace and Pace, an accounting and business school. The brothers held their very first class consisting of 13 students in a rented classroom in one of the floors of the New York Tribune Building. Nowadays, it’s where the One Pace Plaza complex proudly stands.

After relocating to different places in Lower Manhattan, the school grew and was renamed Pace Institute.

Pace Institute expanded across the land — it began to offer courses in accountancy and business law in various US cities. For instance, around 4,000 students were taking its courses on various YMCA campuses in New York and New Jersey. The courses were also being offered in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Seattle, Grand Rapids, etc.

The brothers died in the early 1940s, just two years apart. The son of Homer St. Clair Pace, Robert S. Pace, took over. And, in 1947, the New York State Board of Regents approved Pace Institute for college status. Needless to say, the school became known as Pace College.

In 1966, the New York Tribune Building was demolished to make way for the One Pace Plaza complex. In 1973, the New York State Board of Regents approved the petition of Pace College for university status.

Now that you know the humble beginnings of Pace University, let’s check out some quick facts about it:

• Location: New York City, New York
• Campus type: Urban
• Size: 218 acres
• Population: 13,326
• Education system: Progressive
• School type: Private university
• Reputation: Non-party school
• Motto: Opportunitas
• Number of majors: 57
• Best majors: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Computer Science, Psychology
• Selectivity: Somewhat selective
• Average class size: Fewer than 20 students in 52.1% of classes
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
• Retention rate: 79%
• Graduation rate: 58%
• Color: Blue and gold
• Athletic affiliation: NCAA Division II
• Mascot: The Setter
• Number of varsity teams: 14
• Sports: Basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, football, cross country, swimming and diving

What is Pace University Known For?

Pace University is known for its excellent employer connections. The institution is known for its impressive internship opportunities, too. As a matter of fact, it has some of the largest internship offerings in NYC, with its students completing around 8,000 internships and work experience per year.

One of the nicest things about Pace University is that it prepares students for their future careers.

There are many reasons why people go to college, and one of those is to land good jobs and get good paychecks. If having a great career after college is a goal of yours, you may consider applying to Pace University.

Pace University is a small community which values relationships between all members. The areas surrounding each university site are amazing and so diverse. There is always something to do or somewhere new to go.

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It’s because of its commitment to making sure that its graduates will end up having the jobs of their dreams why Pace University was named by Forbes in 2010 as one of the 20 colleges and universities in the US that will make you rich.

In a few, we will talk about how much money Pace University graduates make per year, so continue reading.

What is the Ranking of Pace University?

Pace University is #8 in 2021 Top Universities in New York City by QS World University Rankings. On the other hand, the institution is #27 in 2022 Most Liberal Colleges in America by Niche. Pace University is #213 in 2022 National Universities by US News and is #243 in Top Colleges 2021 by Forbes.

Checking out college rankings can help you learn which schools are the best when it comes to a certain factor that you deem most important when making a college list.

You will be more than happy to know that Pace University appears in various college rankings by some of the most popular college ranking sites. However, keep in mind that college rankings can be subjective, which is why one school may rank high in one ranking and then not so high in another ranking.

Here are the various rankings Pace University got from Niche:

• #6 in Most Liberal Colleges in New York
• #27 in Most Liberal Colleges in America
• #30 in Best College Locations in America
• #39 in Top Party Schools in New York
• #43 in Colleges With the Best Student Life in New York
• #108 in Most Diverse Colleges in America
• #182 in Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America
• #225 in Safest College Campuses in America

On the other hand, the following are the rankings it got from US News:

• #120 in Nursing
• #143 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
• #213 in National Universities

Below are the rankings Pace University got from Forbes:

• #96 in the Northeast
• #127 in Private Colleges
• #158 in Research Universities
• #243 in Top Colleges

Again, students should take college rankings with a grain of salt because different college ranking sites use and prefer different factors. Still, the best college ranker is the college-bound high school student, using his or her very own criteria when ranking institutions to apply to.

Is Pace University Ivy League?

Pace University is not one of the eight Ivy League Schools. Similarly, it’s not included on the lists of various Ivy League equivalents. Some of them include the Public Ivies, Little Ivies, Hidden Ivies, New Ivies, Southern Ivies, Black Ivies, and Ivy Plus. However, all of them are unofficial lists.

Many dream of attending the Ivy Leagues or schools similar to them. But because they are known to have low acceptance rates, in many instances, applying to other colleges and universities is a more realistic move.

While Pace University is a good institution, as we have established thus far, it is not an Ivy League school. Its name also does not appear on any list of Ivy League equivalents. But keep in mind that you should not choose a school based on a list, especially one that is not recognized by any formal higher education-related agency.

Instead of checking out which listing Pace University appears on, take a look at its characteristics that you like.

What is the Acceptance Rate at Pace University?

The acceptance rate at Pace University is 79%, which makes it a somewhat selective school. So, in other words, the majority of students who apply to the institution gets accepted into it, provided that the requirements are met. The early acceptance rate at Pace University is higher, which is 92%.

Most students, particularly those who are not confident with their applications, stay away from selective schools.

An applicant has a good chance of getting an acceptance letter from Pace University as it has a high acceptance rate of 79%. According to a 2017 report by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the average acceptance rate at four-year institutions in the US is 66%.

Needless to say, the acceptance rate at Pace University is higher than the national average. However, it doesn’t mean that your admission into it is guaranteed. Still, your admissions chances will depend on your application. To help you have an idea of your odds of getting accepted into Pace University, calculate your college chances.

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Pace University?

The average GPA of students admitted into Pace University is 3.4. This means that applicants should be around average in their high school class to have increased chances of getting accepted into the institution. Applicants with lower GPAs may compensate with having a strong overall application.

Whether a college or university has a holistic admissions policy or not, one thing remains true. And it’s none other than the fact that the GPA is a major role player in the admissions process.

If you are not at the top of your high school class and dreaming of earning a degree from Pace University, you will be more than happy to learn that the NYC-based institution does not require applicants to have an Ivy League-worthy GPA of 4.0 or higher. In most instances, having a GPA of at least 3.4 is enough for a Pace University admission.

Although the College seemed nice and the people, professors, and academics were good I couldn’t help but feel out of place among everyone else. It may have been because it was a business-centric school and I am a computer science major.

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However, it doesn’t mean that a low GPA will surely keep you from being a Pace University student. Similarly, having a GPA higher than 3.4 will not guarantee you an admissions spot.

Like many US colleges and universities, Pace University practices a holistic admissions policy, which means that GPAs and test scores are not the only ones taken into account in the admissions process. This is a good thing because applicants may make up for a low GPA with amazing recommendation letters, stellar extracurriculars or winning personal essays.

Is Pace University Test-Optional?

Pace University, like many US institutions, has a test-optional policy. This means that applicants may or may not submit their test scores. A test-optional policy is beneficial for those who failed to take the SAT or ACT or feel that their test scores do not reflect their academic achievement.

When applying to Pace University, it is completely up to you to decide whether or not you will submit your test score. It will be considered in the admissions process if you do. If you don’t, you will not be asked to give a reason.

However, if you like to increase your chances of gaining admission into the school, submitting your test score may be a smart move, especially if you are very proud of it. That’s because many of the students accepted into Pace University submitted theirs. For instance, up to 81% of admitted students submitted their SAT scores.

To know whether or not you should submit your test scores, check out this table:

TEST	SCORES OF ADMITS
SAT	1050 to 1230
ACT	21 to 27

               

Is Pace University Online Accredited?

Pace University Online is an accredited institution. Its accreditor is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the same accreditor of its physical campus. MSCHE is recognized by both the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Besides on-campus or traditional degrees, Pace University also offers online degrees, which are perfect for busy non-traditional students and those who do not live in New York City or the US.

The online school offers 175 online bachelor’s degrees and 92 online master’s degrees. There are various online professional certificates available, too. The offered degrees and certificates can be earned through purely online classes or hybrid classes, the kind where students have to complete their coursework both online and face-to-face.

Since, as mentioned earlier, Pace University Online is accredited by an accrediting agency that is USDE- and CHEA-recognized, you can rest assured that the degree you will earn from it will be respected by employers. So, in other words, Pace University Online is not a diploma mill.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pace University?

For the academic year 2021 to 2022, the tuition at Pace University amounts to $46,978. This brings the estimated cost of attending the institution for one academic year as a full-time undergraduate student to $72,114. The cost of attendance can vary from program to program and from degree to degree.

The average cost of attending a four-year private institution in the US is $53,949.

Since Pace University is located in the costliest city in the nation, it doesn’t come as a surprise why its sticker price is so much higher.

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cost of going to Pace University for the academic year 2021 to 2022:

EXPENSES	COST
Tuition	$46,978
Fees	$1,962
Room and board	$20,356
Books	$800
Transportation	$600
Personal expenses	$1,418
TOTAL	$72,114

The good news is that, according to Pace University itself, up to 96% of its freshmen students receive financial aid. The total amount of money the awardees receive equals more than $289 million.

Earlier, we mentioned that Pace University offers online degrees and certificates. In most instances, online learning is cheaper than the traditional counterpart. It’s for this reason why attending Pace University Online is more affordable than earning a degree from it in the usual manner.

Here’s an example of the breakdown of the estimated cost of attending Pace University Online per academic year for a non-traditional student taking 30 credits:

EXPENSES	COST
Tuition	$17,100 (cost per credit: $570)
Technology fee	$200
Proctor fee	$100
TOTAL	$17,400

Keep in mind that some online courses may require additional fees.

These days, the average cost of attending an online college or university ranges anywhere from $9,600 to $15,150. So, in other words, the cost of earning a degree from Pace University Online is higher than average.

How Much Do Pace University Graduates Make?

Pace University graduates make an average of $46,700 annually six years after enrolling in the school. The average salary of those who attended Pace University increased to $63,100 annually ten years after enrolling in the school. The average annual salary of graduates can vary per degree earned.

Attending Pace University doesn’t come cheap, which is why it is completely understandable why anyone who plans to go to it would wonder how much money they could make after getting their hands on their degree.

The good news is that Pace University graduates tend to earn 84% higher than the median salary after 10 years.

As always, there are exceptions to the rule. You could make more per year, depending on the degree you have earned from Pace University and the company that has hired you. The following are some of the highest-paying jobs among Pace University graduates and the range of their annual salaries:

JOB TITLE	ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
Family Nurse Practitioner	$79,000 to $148,000
Finance Director	$64,000 to $148,000
Physician Assistant	$85,000 to $123,000
Software Engineer	$67,000 to $137,000
Project Manager	$61,000 to $125,000
Marketing Manager	$48,000 to $93,000
Financial Analyst	$50,000 to $78,000

Just Before You Apply to Pace University

So, is Pace University a good school?

Above, we talked about practically everything you need to know before applying to this New York City-based institution, which is #8 in 2021 Top Universities in New York City by QS World University Rankings and #6 in Most Liberal Colleges in New York by Niche.

In case the admissions officers of Pace University respond to your application with an acceptance letter, you already have an idea if you should enroll in it or another institution of your liking.