The New School

What The New School does

The New School is a private, independent nonprofit university founded in 1919 and headquartered in Greenwich Village, New York City. It operates five major colleges—Parsons School of Design (ranked #3 art and design school worldwide), Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Schools of Public Engagement—along with a European branch campus, Parsons Paris (TNS Parsons), located in Paris, France. The institution reports 2,000+ faculty and 900+ staff supporting undergraduate, graduate, adult learner, international, and continuing education students across more than 34 academic centers and institutes. Applications are accepted via Common App for most undergraduates and a proprietary New School Online Application for graduate, adult learner, and Parsons AAS programs, with a direct-to-consumer, event-driven recruitment model.

The university's core technology platform is the Innovation Center, which houses three specialized research labs: the XR Lab (founded 2017, among the first of its kind worldwide), the AI Lab (covering Generative AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and NLP applied to creative disciplines), and the Quantum Lab (founded 2019 by Maya Georgieva and Lin Zhou with a flagship partnership with IBM Quantum that provides students and faculty access to IBM's quantum processors for art, design, education, and business prototypes). The Innovation Center runs annual Quantum Design Jams, public exhibitions (including the Quantum Art Exhibition at Microscope Gallery), and cultural partnerships with Lincoln Center, Weeksville Heritage Center, World Science Festival, and others. The institution operates learning infrastructure including Canvas LMS, MyNewSchool portal, and integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, Zoom, Office 365, and remote lab access via Guacamole.

The revenue model is tuition-driven and recurring, supplemented by continuing education through Open Campus and charitable giving. Tuition pricing is not publicly disclosed, but the institution offers a Financial Aid Guarantee that locks institutional scholarships and grants constant for program duration. Customer segments include prospective undergraduate students, prospective graduate students, adult learners, international students (including through Parsons Paris), and continuing education learners. GTM motion is direct-to-consumer via application platforms and admission events, with supporting content marketing through the institutional website, social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok), and public programming featuring prominent speakers and thought leaders.

Name

The New School

Legal name

The New School

Website

https://newschool.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The New School is a private nonprofit university in New York City offering undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs across Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Schools of Public Engagement, with a European branch in Paris and an Innovation Center housing AI, XR, and Quantum Labs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Humanities & Creative Research Universities (EDAHABAG), Interdisciplinary/Experimental Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAN)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Liberal arts college
• Design school
• Performing arts programs
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The university generates revenue primarily through tuition charged to undergraduate and graduate students for academic programs. Financial aid and scholarships are offered to support student enrollment.
2. Continuing Education: Revenue from continuing education programs including Open Campus offerings for professional development and lifelong learning.
3. Donations and Giving: The university receives charitable contributions and donations through its giving programs to support scholarships, research, and institutional priorities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The New School is a private nonprofit university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and continuing education programs across five colleges: Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Schools of Public Engagement. It also operates Parsons Paris as a European branch campus. The university supplements classroom instruction with an Innovation Center housing XR, AI, and Quantum Labs that develop applications of emerging technologies in creative disciplines.

Product overview

The New School is a university offering academic programs across multiple colleges including Parsons School of Design (world's #3 art and design school), Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Parsons Paris. The Innovation Center serves as the university's research hub with dedicated AI, XR, and Quantum Labs that drive emerging technology exploration across creative practice and applied research. Students access learning through Canvas LMS and MyNewSchool portal, applying via Common Application or New School Online Application platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quantum Lab: A groundbreaking hub dedicated to exploring the intersection of quantum computing and creative disciplines, founded in 2019.
• XR Lab
• AI Lab
• Open Campus

Products and services

• Parsons School of Design One of the world's leading art and design schools (#3 art and design school worldwide), offering undergraduate and graduate programs in design, fashion, and creative technology for prospective students seeking creative credentials.
• Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate liberal arts college offering interdisciplinary programs focused on critical thinking and social engagement for prospective undergraduate students.
• College of Performing Arts College offering undergraduate and graduate programs in music, drama, and performing arts for students pursuing careers in the performing arts.
• The New School for Social Research Graduate school offering master's and doctoral programs in social sciences, philosophy, and research-focused disciplines for graduate students.
• Schools of Public Engagement Schools offering programs in public engagement, media studies, and professional development for students pursuing social impact and media careers.
• Parsons Paris European branch campus of Parsons School of Design operating in Paris, France, as TNS Parsons, serving international design students seeking study-abroad or full European-based degrees.
• Open Campus (Continuing Education) Continuing education division offering professional development, certificate programs, and lifelong learning courses for working professionals and adult learners.
• Innovation Center University research hub bringing together AI, XR, and Quantum Labs to collaborate with faculty, students, and external partners on design, prototyping, and application of emerging technologies across creative practice, education, and applied research.
• AI Lab Innovation Center lab dedicated to cutting-edge exploration where artificial intelligence intersects with creative fields and social research, leveraging Generative AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and NLP.
• XR Lab Pioneering space dedicated to exploring Extended Reality technologies within creative fields and practice through VR, AR, and MR, driving innovative projects in design, social research, and performing arts.
• Quantum Lab Groundbreaking hub dedicated to exploring intersection of quantum computing and creative disciplines, integrating quantum technologies with design, social research, and performing arts in partnership with IBM Quantum.
• Common Application Online application platform used by undergraduate applicants (except Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) for admission to most undergraduate programs.
• New School Online Application Online application portal for graduate programs, Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students, and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs.
• Canvas LMS Learning Management System used to deliver online programs and courses, providing academic resources, course materials, and university services to students and faculty.
• MyNewSchool Portal Student and staff portal providing access to academic resources, course materials, and university services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates prepared with creative problem-solving skills that change how they investigate, contribute to, and live in the world

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IBM QuantumflagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019IBM Quantum partnered with The New School to provide students access to quantum computing technology. This partnership enabled the creation of the Quantum Lab and annual Quantum Design Jams since 2021. Students and faculty gain early access to IBM's quantum processors for art, design, education, and business prototypes.
• QiskitcoreTechnology or IntegrationQiskit, IBM's quantum computing framework, is used in Quantum Design Jams to teach students Python-based quantum programming and visual quantum circuit building using IBM Quantum Composer.
• AI SummitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation Center partnered with AI Summit for AI Playground Talks and Installation, featuring work examining extractive systems behind generative AI models.
• Nona Hendryx's Dream Machine TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXR Lab partnered to design and co-direct immersive activation for The Dream Machine project at Lincoln Center's Summer for the City program, creating Afrofuturist VR experiences.
• Lincoln CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lincoln Center for performing arts to present VR activations and immersive experiences through Summer for the City program.
• Weeksville Heritage CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXR Lab partnered to create AR Mural installation and immersive activation, bringing together art, history, and emerging technology for dynamic heritage experiences.
• Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for State of XR & Immersive Learning reports (2023 and 2024), developing research and visual trend documentation across higher education, industry, and cultural sectors.
• World Science FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXR Lab designed and produced VR Playground experience 'Enter the Frontiers of Space in Virtual Reality' for the festival, enabling cosmic exploration through VR.
• Microscope GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn gallery venue hosting Quantum Art Exhibition showcasing artworks created using IBM Quantum Computers, featuring 15 works including quantum art by Russell Huffman.
• SXSWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe New School presented at SXSW 2022 on Quantum Computing for Design and Social Good, exploring how quantum technology can be integrated into creative arts for social purposes.
• PlayfulNYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Creative Technology Club and Innovation Center XR Lab for Creative Technology Hackathon 2026, focused on building games and alternative controllers inspired by NYC.
• IBM Skills AcademycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with IBM Skills Academy and IBM Quantum team for Quantum Design Jam 2021, providing workshops and mentorship.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Premier private art and design college in Providence, RI; directly competes with Parsons School of Design for top design students, faculty, and global rankings in the U.S. design-education market.
• Pratt Institute: Private art, design, and architecture school in Brooklyn, NYC; closest geographic peer and direct competitor to Parsons across design, fashion, and creative technology programs.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Private nonprofit art and design university with locations in Savannah, Atlanta, and Hong Kong; comparable portfolio of design, fashion, and performing arts programs targeting similar student segments as Parsons.
• School of Visual Arts (SVA): NYC-based private college specializing in visual and applied arts; directly competes with Parsons for design and visual arts students, especially within the New York creative ecosystem.
• Cooper Union: Private NYC college specializing in art, architecture, and engineering; competes with Parsons for top creative talent and shares the small, selective private-art-school positioning in NYC.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT): Public SUNY-affiliated college in NYC focused on fashion, design, and business; direct competitor for fashion and design applicants within the same NYC market as Parsons.
• ArtCenter College of Design: Private nonprofit college in Pasadena, CA, with broad design, advertising, and transportation design programs; comparable selective private art/design institution competing for similar student profiles.

Broad incumbents

• New York University (NYU): Large NYC private research university with Tisch School of the Arts; broader incumbent that competes for creative and performing arts students and offers overlapping programs at much larger scale than The New School.
• Columbia University: NYC-based Ivy League research university with Columbia College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; larger incumbent that competes for top liberal-arts and social-research graduate students in the same NYC market.

Regional players

• Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London): Leading London art and design college and Europe's most direct competitor to Parsons for top international creative talent; comparable portfolio of fashion, design, and fine arts programs across an international student base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/thenewschool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/thenewschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/thenewschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/TheNewSchool
• TikToktiktok.com/@thenewschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/milanoschool

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The New School