QUICK ANSWER
Parsons School of Design is one of the colleges of The New School, a university in New York that also includes Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, the College of Performing Arts and The New School for Social Research. The connection is not just a name: it shows up in a shared tuition table, liberal-arts courses inside every Parsons BFA, and a five-year BA/BFA dual degree with Lang.
For applicants, the practical points are simple. You apply to Parsons for a specific major, pay the same tuition rate as Lang and Performing Arts students, and graduate from a programme that mixes studio work with university-level liberal arts.
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Where the Connection Shows Up
| Area | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Parsons, Lang and the College of Performing Arts share one undergraduate rate: $31,174 per semester for 2026–27 |
| Liberal arts in the BFA | Parsons curricula include Liberal Arts electives and upper-level lecture (ULEC) courses alongside studio work |
| BA/BFA dual degree | Parsons and Lang offer a combined degree with requirements spread over five years |
| Parsons Paris | A separate campus with its own rate: $21,308 per semester for BFA and BBA students in 2026–27 |
| First year | All Parsons undergraduates start with the shared Parsons first year before their major core |
From The New School’s 2026–27 tuition tables and Parsons curriculum pages, checked October 2026.
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What This Means When You Apply
You apply to Parsons, not to The New School in general, and the portfolio is reviewed for a Parsons major: 8–12 pieces and two essays of 300–400 words, submitted through the Parsons Admission Hub after the Common App. The essays ask about an issue or system you want to work on and why The New School and your chosen programme fit, so the university connection is part of what you are asked to explain.
FOR KOREAN FAMILIES
Two choices deserve attention. The BA/BFA suits a student who wants a full liberal-arts degree alongside design, at the cost of a fifth year. Parsons Paris costs less per semester than New York but is a different campus and city. In our record Parsons made awards to 38 of 63 admits (60%), averaging $53,116 (n=38). See our Parsons admissions guide and Parsons portfolio guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parsons the same as The New School?
Parsons is one college within The New School, alongside Lang, the College of Performing Arts and The New School for Social Research.
Do Parsons students take liberal-arts classes?
Yes. Parsons BFA curricula include Liberal Arts electives and upper-level lecture courses.
What is the Parsons BA/BFA?
A dual degree combining a Parsons BFA with a Lang BA, with requirements spread over five years.
Is Parsons Paris cheaper than Parsons New York?
Yes. For 2026–27, Parsons Paris BFA and BBA tuition is $21,308 per semester, against $31,174 in New York.
Do the Parsons essays mention The New School?
Yes. One essay asks why The New School and your chosen college and major made you apply.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, including 63 at Parsons. We help students write Parsons essays that explain the fit with both the major and The New School. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Tuition from The New School’s 2026–27 tuition tables; curriculum details from Parsons programme pages; requirements from Parsons’ How to Apply. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Parsons Admissions Guide · Parsons Portfolio Guide · What Replaced the Parsons Challenge · Parsons vs SVA for Design · Royal Blue Results