College Profile: Pace University

katspitzer
Nov 6
3 min read

I was just visiting New York City and had the chance to tour Pace University. If you are interested in studying in NYC, this may be a great option for you. Pace offers a unique blend of big-city energy and hands-on learning. I was there on election day this year and the energy from the students was palpable! Here is some information I pulled together to give you a feel for what being a “Pacer” might look like.

Fun Facts:

The motto of Pace University is “Opportunitas” (Latin for “Opportunity”).
Pace students complete 9,000+ internships, co-ops, practicums, field experiences, and clinicals in a year, meaning the learning often happens beyond the classroom.
You can study in the heart of New York City or at a more traditional campus in Westchester County. The institution offers “One University. Four Experiences.”
Pace ranks in the top ~9% of private U.S. colleges for return on tuition investment.
Over 100 student clubs and organizations are available — whether you’re into entrepreneurship, activism, culture, or the arts.

History:

The university traces its beginnings to 1906, when brothers Homer Pace and Charles Ashford Pace founded what was then the Pace Institute: a small business/accounting school in Lower Manhattan.
From those humble roots (a classroom rented for $600, 10 men and 3 women in the first class) the school grew steadily.
The institution gained university status in 1973, becoming Pace University.
One notable building: 1 Pace Plaza in Manhattan (completed in 1970) sits on the former site of the New York Tribune building, and today serves as the flagship campus building.

Traditions & Campus Life:

Being a student means more than just attending class — at Pace, there’s a full calendar of events and traditions to create community and spirit.

Homecoming & Bonfire: A highlight of Spirit Week with food trucks, music, and community at the Westchester campus.
Late Night Breakfast: As finals approach, students get a late-night breakfast served by staff and faculty — a fun & practical way to relieve stress together.
Pace Makes a Difference Day: A service-day tradition where students, faculty and staff head out into the community for volunteer projects.
Campus Involvement & Club Fairs: With 100+ clubs, there are involvement fairs each semester to connect you with student organizations.
Greek Life: On the NYC campus especially, fraternities and sororities provide social, leadership and service opportunities.
Orientation & Weeks of Welcome (WOW): For new students, the start of the year includes welcome events, outings around NYC and chances to build your network.

Living on campus is also an option (and many take it):

On campus you’ll find 10 residence halls and diverse dining options (vegan, halal, vegetarian, etc.) across NYC and Westchester.
Whether commuter or resident, Pace emphasizes involvement and community-building.

Student Statistics & Facts:

Admissions & Enrollment (Undergraduate):

First-time, first-year students: 28,469 applications; 21,961 admitted (~77 %).
Average high school GPA for admitted first-years: 3.3.
Campus distribution: NYC campus ~5,858 students; Westchester campus ~2,318 students.

Diversity & Enrollment Composition:

Gender: ~66% female, ~34% male among undergraduates.
Racial/ethnic breakdown: ~44% White, 22% Hispanic, 11% Black/African American, 7% Asian, 5% multi-racial, 9% international.
In 2023, total enrollment (undergraduate + graduate) around 14,092 students.

Outcomes:

For the Class of 2024: ~93% employed, continuing education, or in service. Average full-time salary ~$75,098.
For graduate (Master’s) class of 2024: ~97% employed/continuing education or service; average full-time salary ~$87,153.

Why You Might Consider Pace:

Location Advantage: With a campus in downtown NYC, you have access to internships, cultural events, business connections and more; all part of the “city as your campus.”
Hands-On Learning: Those 9,000+ internships and experiences give you real world practice, not just theory.
Flexibility & Choice: Whether you prefer city intensity or a more traditional campus feel in Westchester, you have options.
Community & Growth: With large numbers of clubs and traditions, you’ll have plenty of ways to connect outside the classroom.
Strong Outcomes: The high employment/continuing education rates for graduates signal that Pace is focused on your future.

I was very impressed with the campus and student engagement. Students can take advantage of so many opportunities mere footsteps from campus and they are surrounded by great food and culture. If Pace University sounds like a good fit for you, I urge you to try to visit in person for a tour and check out the website at https://www.pace.edu/.