Pace University (New York City) via Kaplan Global Pathways: Programs, Costs & Progression Guide for International Students

Global Pathways at Pace University is a degree-preparation program on Pace's New York City campus in Manhattan, delivered in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Pace is a private university in lower Manhattan, and its pathway programs are designed for international students who do not quite meet the requirements for a bachelor's or master's degree, whether because of their English or their academic grades. Students earn credits while they build their skills, and all Global Pathways graduates are guaranteed progression to a degree program on successful completion. This guide covers exactly what Pace University and Kaplan international students need to know: the undergraduate and graduate pathways, the entry requirements, the credits and progression figures, the costs to confirm, life in New York, and US Optional Practical Training.

Quick facts snapshot

• Program: Global Pathways at Pace University, delivered with Kaplan International Pathways, in Manhattan, New York City
• Undergraduate pathway: for students who need to improve their English and grades before a bachelor's degree, with a minimum TOEFL score of 55 and a high school GPA of at least 2.0
• Graduate pathway: for students who need skill development before a master's degree, with TOEFL 55 to 70 depending on the degree and a bachelor's GPA of at least 3.0
• Credits: up to 31 credits toward an undergraduate degree, or up to 11 credits toward a graduate degree
• Progression: guaranteed on successful completion, and 91% of pathway students progressed to Pace over the past ten years, according to the program
• Support: Kaplan offers application, visa, and pre-arrival help
• Costs: tuition and scholarship details were not listed on the pathway pages I could read

Rankings and reputation

Pace University is a private university in New York, and the pathway pages describe it as a leading university for employability and as expert in helping international students get jobs after graduation. Those are Kaplan's and the university's own descriptions, so ask for the data behind them, such as graduate employment rates by major. The pathway program itself is not ranked, and the more useful evidence is its 91% progression figure over ten years and how progressed students perform in their degrees.

Academics and how the pathways work

The undergraduate pathway combines English language courses with credit-bearing university courses, letting students earn up to 31 credits, which is about a year of study, before they move into a degree. The graduate pathway is shorter and earns up to 11 credits, and prepares students for the language and academic demands of a master's program. All pathway graduates who complete the program successfully are guaranteed progression to a degree program, but the guarantee is conditional on grades and on the requirements of the major, so check which majors are covered and what grade you need.

Admissions and international eligibility

The pathway is for students who meet Pace's basic academic requirements but not its direct-entry standard. Undergraduate applicants need to have completed high school with a GPA of at least 2.0, and graduate applicants need a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, with extra requirements for some degrees. Applicants submit transcripts, English evidence, and passport details, and receive an I-20 for an F-1 visa.

English language requirements

• Undergraduate pathway: a minimum TOEFL score of 55 or equivalent
• Graduate pathway: a minimum TOEFL of 55 to 70, depending on the degree program, or equivalent
• Direct entry to a Pace degree requires higher scores, so ask what you need to progress
• Ask what alternative tests are accepted

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English evidence, and proof of funds for the I-20. Kaplan helps with the process, but admission decisions are made by Pace, so ask what deposit secures your place and what is refundable if your visa is refused.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

The pathway pages listed no tuition or scholarship figures and directed students to an adviser or the international admissions guide. Because New York is among the most expensive cities in the United States, obtain a written estimate for tuition, housing, insurance, books, and personal costs for your full route, including the degree years after the pathway, and compare it with the cost of direct entry.

Estimated living costs in New York City

• New York is one of the most expensive US cities for housing, and Manhattan rents are very high
• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• The subway and buses are extensive, and many students do not need a car
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• Winters are cold and summers can be hot and humid

Scholarships

I could not confirm scholarship amounts for pathway students. Ask which merit awards exist for pathway students, whether they continue after progression, and whether grades on the pathway affect them.

Campus life and student support

Pace's lower Manhattan campus is close to the financial district, City Hall, and the Brooklyn Bridge, so students live and study in the middle of the city. Pathway students receive extra academic support, English classes, advising, and orientation, and Kaplan provides pre-arrival support. With a city-centre campus, ask about student housing, since options may be limited.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

New York is the centre of US finance, media, and business, and Pace's location gives easy access to internships and networking. Ask how the career center supports international students and how many find internships during their degree.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

Because costs were not listed, obtain a written estimate for the pathway and the remaining degree years, then add flights, insurance, and personal expenses. Ask for the total cost of the whole route to a degree, including scholarships, and compare it with direct entry or with a pathway in a lower-cost city.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the total cost of my pathway, including housing and insurance?
• Which majors are covered by the progression guarantee, and what grades are needed?
• How many of the credits transfer into my chosen major?
• Which scholarships apply to pathway students, and do they continue after progression?
• Is my intended major STEM-designated for OPT?
• What housing is available for pathway students?

Who the Pace pathway suits best

The Pace pathway suits students who want a New York degree in business, technology, or the arts and need to raise their English or grades first, and who value guaranteed progression. It may suit less well students who meet direct entry, since they would pay for extra time, or students who need a low-cost route.

Pathway or direct entry?

If your grades and English already meet Pace's requirements, applying directly saves time and money. The pathway is worth considering if your GPA or English is below the standard, because it gives a structured route with credit and a progression guarantee. Compare the total cost, time, and scholarship offer for both routes.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your pathway level and target major.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, credits, and progression terms.

Living and studying in lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan is a compact, busy district with financial firms, courts, and universities, and students often live in Brooklyn, Queens, or New Jersey and commute by subway. Ask Pace about student housing availability, how far residence halls are from the pathway classrooms, and what students of similar profiles typically pay for rent.

• Ask whether pathway students are guaranteed housing and what it costs
• Ask what the class sizes are in the pathway courses
• Ask what happens if you narrowly miss the progression requirements
• Ask whether there are internship or career events for pathway students

Frequently asked questions