New York University Silver School of Social Work
- Acceptance Rate
- 12.0%
- SAT Range
- N/A
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.88
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Social work students at NYU experience an intensive educational journey that blends classroom learning with the demands of field placement. Many students balance coursework, internships, and part-time employment, creating schedules that require careful time management. The school community provides essential support through peer mentorship programs, student organizations, and faculty advising. Housing in New York City presents perhaps the greatest practical challenge for students. Most MSW candidates live off-campus in shared apartments across Brooklyn, Queens, and northern Manhattan, with rents typically ranging from $1,200-1,800 for a room in a shared apartment. The school's location in Greenwich Village offers excellent subway access to placements throughout the city, though commute times vary significantly depending on residence location. Student organizations include identity-based groups, practice area interest groups, and social committees that organize events ranging from professional panels to stress-relief activities. The Social Work Student Association represents student interests to administration and coordinates community-building programming. Many students form study groups that become lasting professional networks. Field placement often represents the most transformative aspect of the program, exposing students to clinical realities, organizational dynamics, and the challenges facing clients and communities. Supervision provides space for processing difficult experiences, though students frequently cite placement demands as the most stressful element of the degree. The school provides counseling services and has worked to address concerns about student burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
Location & Surroundings
New York University's main campus in Greenwich Village places the Silver School within walking distance of Washington Square Park, one of the city's most iconic public spaces. The neighborhood blends residential charm with commercial vibrancy, featuring cafes, bookstores, and cultural venues alongside residential blocks. The location provides immediate access to multiple subway lines, making commutes to field placements throughout the five boroughs relatively straightforward. New York City's social services infrastructure is unparalleled in scale and diversity. Students access placements in world-renowned hospital systems, community mental health centers, schools, child welfare agencies, and policy advocacy organizations. This breadth of opportunity allows students to gain experience impossible to replicate in smaller communities, though it also means navigating complex organizational systems and often witnessing the impacts of structural inequality firsthand. The cost of living in New York City is among the highest in the country. Beyond housing, students should budget for transportation (unlimited monthly MetroCards cost approximately $130), food, and professional attire for placements. Despite these costs, many students value the unmatched professional opportunities and cultural richness the city provides. Climate in New York features four distinct seasons, with cold winters requiring substantial winter clothing and hot, humid summers that can make subway commutes uncomfortable. The city's cultural offerings span world-class museums, theater, music, and food representing virtually every global tradition. For students passionate about social work, New York provides exposure to the full spectrum of human experience within a single, dense, complex urban environment.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition for the full-time MSW program is approximately $52,000 per year, with the two-year total reaching approximately $104,000 before living expenses. Part-time students pay per credit, with similar total costs spread over three years. Living expenses in New York City add substantially, with most students budgeting $25,000-35,000 annually for housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Financial aid includes merit scholarships, need-based grants, and loan programs. Approximately 80% of students receive some form of institutional aid, with awards ranging from partial tuition discounts to rare full-tuition scholarships for exceptional candidates. Field placement agencies occasionally offer stipends, though most placements are unpaid. Students should plan to work part-time during the program, with many finding positions in human services that complement their educational goals. Career outcomes reflect social work's broad scope. Clinical positions in mental health agencies, hospitals, and private practice represent the largest employment sector. School social work positions offer competitive salaries with strong benefits. Policy and advocacy roles, often in nonprofit organizations or government agencies, provide opportunities for systems-level impact. International social work and organizational leadership represent smaller but growing sectors. Starting salaries vary significantly by setting and geography. Clinical social workers in New York City typically earn $50,000-65,000 initially, with significant growth possible after licensure and experience. School social workers earn similar ranges with additional pension benefits. Private practice, available after clinical licensure, offers higher earning potential but requires building a client base over time. The school's career services office provides job boards, employer connections, and professional development programming. The alumni network is extensive in New York and beyond, with graduates willing to mentor current students and provide job leads. The social work profession emphasizes connection, and NYU graduates benefit from the school's long history and strong reputation among employers.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for New York University Silver School of Social Work
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free