Columbia University
New York, United States
- Cost of Living$ 32,892
- Tuition Fee From$ 24,140
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength21,608
- Global Diversity35%
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Columbia University is the largest private university in New York, USA. It belongs to the prestigious Ivy League Colleges. When King's College, founded in 1754, reopened in 1784 following the American Revolution, the name was changed to Columbia College. In 1912, it was renamed Columbia University. Up until 1983, when women were first allowed to enrol, Columbia College served as the men's undergraduate liberal arts institution. In addition to Columbia College, the university has two other undergraduate programs (the School of General Studies and the School of Engineering and Applied Science), as well as the connected Barnard and Teachers colleges. This prestigious university intakes almost 40,000 students all around the globe which matched Columbia University Acceptance Rate being 6.7%; making it one of the hardest Ivy League Schools to get into.
With connections to Caltech, Yale, and MIT, Columbia University offers a wide range of opportunities for students to experience various academic programmes. American Studies, Architecture, Philosophy, Anthropology, Business, and History are some of the disciplines that make up the academic system. Drama and theatre arts, film, dance and media studies, music, and visual arts are a few of the well-liked and imaginative courses.
Columbia University is also the second-largest landowner in the United States, which is based in Morningside Heights, New York. It is exquisitely constructed and spans 36 acres of land. Additionally, the library is renowned for its neoclassical architecture and collection of over 11 million volumes and academic papers. It includes some well-known books with the names of esteemed authors, intellectuals, and philosophers engraved on them. In addition to accommodation options, the school is close to dining establishments, coffee shops, pharmacies, general stores, and other retailers that cater to students' basic needs.
There are some notable alumni that the university boasts including Former U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Barack Obama, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank Alan Greenspan, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, inventor of FM radio Edwin Armstrong, pioneer of quantum field theory Julian S. Schwinger, and artist George O'Keeffe.
Ranking
US News & World Report 2024:
Columbia University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #7 position.
QS World University Ranking 2024:
Columbia University has shown excellence by securing 17 spot on the global scale.
One of New York City's most esteemed universities is Columbia University. This Ivy League research institution is the fifth-oldest university in the United States and the oldest in New York City. Columbia University ranking has always been one of the top positions, learn more about it in the key points given below.
- THE ranks Columbia University as the 11th best global university in 2022, the 16th best US college in 2022, and the 12th best global university in 2021.
- With its superior educational programme and outstanding research output, Columbia University has improved six points in the “THE Ranking” to be ranked 17th globally in 2021.
- According to QS subject rankings, Times Higher Education, and U.S. News and World Report, the accounting and finance programmes at Columbia University are among the top 20 worldwide.
- In terms of the best global MBA programmes for entrepreneurship, it is ranked 24th by U.S. News and World Report in 2021.
- For its engineering and technology programmes in 2020, the University is ranked #51 in the QS topic rankings.
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#34
-
2023
#22
#7
2022
#19
#7
Facilities
Columbia University facilities are always obtainable for students to take benefit of. Having been there for centuries, this university has an ample amount of specialities to offer. For students moving to the city for the first time, they will not encounter issues as the university has everything covered. Below, we have listed some of the most important facilities at the University.
Public Safety: Public safety is managed by the Interim Vice President of the University Public Safety, Deidre M. Fuchs. You can contact them for public safety, report a crime, request guard service, request card access assistance, recover lost property, view current crime information, download the lion safe app, get a CUID, and much more.
Sustainability: University facilities are leading the charge to turn Columbia into a role model for environmental citizenship. Their efforts to manage the life cycles of both new and old buildings, decrease waste, promote recycling, and conserve resources are guided by the University's commitment to sustainability.
Building Information: Did you know that most of the residential structures in Morningside Heights were constructed in the second half of the decade, between 1900 and 1910? 60 of Columbia's residential structures date from between 1905 and 1910. Many of these structures have already celebrated their centennial years or will do so soon.
Apart from the historic data, the university continues to adapt to new technologies and has all the modern facilities that cater to today's students.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
The Columbia University acceptance rate stood at 4% for the upcoming batch of 2026. 60,377 applications were submitted to the school, closely matching the previous record of 60,551 applications. The admission rate for the Class of 2026 at Columbia was 3.73%, nearly intact from the 3.66% of the previous year. The figures from the previous two years were consistent, but they were still very different from those from the 2019-2020 admissions cycle when just 40,083 students applied and 6.15% of them were accepted. Only 2,253 students this year, representing all 50 states and 86 nations, received the coveted acceptance letter. The student body at Columbia is more diverse than ever!
Learn More About: Columbia University Acceptance Rate
Columbia University Entry Requirements
Like any university that enjoys a noteworthy status, there are several entry requirements students must meet to get a seat at the university. For starters, one has to fill up the application form and furnish all required documents including their previous test scores and past academic records. The basic Columbia University entry requirements are listed as follows.
- Secure a minimum 4.12 GPA (Grade Point Average).
- Aim for a 1560 SAT score or 35 ACT score.
- For non-English speaking applicants, mandatory TOEFL or IELTS test scores are a base requirement.
- Further entry requirements are determined by what course an applicant wishes to pursue at the university.
Know More About : How To Apply For Columbia University
Columbia University Fees
Fees at university are determined by three things, whether you classify as a home or international student, what course you are planning to pursue and lastly, what level you choose to pursue your desired course at. Apart from tuition, there are certain other fees that a university charges its students. Columbia University fees range from anywhere between $60,000 to $77,000 annually depending on the course.
English Proficiency Requirements
If English is not your native language, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency in order to be admitted to the college. This can be proven by fulfilling Columbia University IELTS requirements along with other tests mentioned in the table below:
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
|
TOEFL iBT |
80 or higher; 550 on paper-based |
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
|
Cambridge A-Level English (Non-ESL) |
C or higher |
|
AP English Language and Composition |
4 or higher |
|
Pearson Test of English (PTE) |
60 |
|
Cambridge Assessment English |
B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a Cambridge English score of 176 or above. |
|
Duolingo English Test |
105 |
|
ESL course - Stafford House Language Programs |
Advanced Level 6 (CEF: C1) |
Columbia Class of 2026 Acceptance Rates
|
Number of Applications |
Accepted Students |
Acceptance Rate |
|
|
Regular Applications |
54,072 |
1,603 |
2.96% |
|
Early Applications |
6,305 |
650 |
10.31% |
Placements
In terms of placements and employment opportunities, the university offers opportunities galore mainly due to its partnerships and tie-ups with some of the world’s biggest corporations and organisations in their respective fields. The university has a graduation rate of 96% and the majority of that percentage goes on to find suitable employment post-graduation. Columbia University placements and employment services to help students seek employment in various fields and forms including part-time and internship opportunities. The university also has experienced career counsellors as part of their faculty who further help students with what field they want to get into after graduation. On average, the salaries for students graduating in science and technology-related fields range from $72,000 to $150,000 annually.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the university as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at Columbia University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Know More About : Columbia University Scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Columbia University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near Columbia University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Given that New York is a city of dreams, it seems sensible that so many people choose to complete their education there. It is not, however, the most affordable area to live, as students might anticipate. We are aware of how frightening it might be to relocate as a student for the first time. Therefore, to make the transition a bit easier, we have outlined all of the expenses you may expect to incur when moving to New York.
| Particulars | Cost (Monthly) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | $1,050 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | $1,252 |
| Transportation | $128 |
| Food Cost | $638 |
| Utility Cost | $116 |
| Entertainment | $65 |
| Groceries | $116 |
| Clothes | $42 |
| Health Insurance | $80 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | $2,027 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | $2,229 |
| Annual Cost of Living | $24,324 |
The above data is sourced from Cost of Living in New York on UniAcco.