About Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League university located in Upper Manhattan, New York.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, Columbia has a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and research, offering double degree programs, unique majors and academic flexibility in 90 areas of study.
Established in 1754, the university comprises three undergraduate schools – Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of General Studies – as well as a number of graduate and professional schools, including the Business School, Teachers College, Law School and College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Columbia is affiliated with Barnard College for women and administers the Pulitzer Prizes.
Acceptance Rate
Overall: 4% Early: 10.3% Crimson Student: 32%
US News Ranking
#18
Number of Applications
61,110
Student-faculty Ratio
6:1
Undergraduate Programs
90
Rankings
#18
US News
#22
QS World
#11
THE World Rankings
Admissions Overview
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 1
Common App
Accepted
Class Rank
Considered
SAT/ACT
Optional
Recommendation Letters
2 Teacher Recommendations
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
Required for International Students
Popular Majors
21% Social Sciences
Columbia's departments of Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and Sociology are steeped in a tradition of intellectual distinction and social inquiry.
15% Engineering
Columbia Engineering offers an unparalleled breadth of majors and minors, professional-level courses, hands-on design projects, and research and internships both in New York City and around the world.
11% Computer Information and Sciences
Computer Science majors at Columbia study an integrated curriculum including areas with an immediate relationship to the computer, such as programming languages, operating systems and mathematics.
6% Biology
Biology majors are offered a plethora of choice including study in molecular biology, neurobiology, developmental biology, cell biology, structural biology, biophysics and chemical biology.
5% English
Columbia's Department of English and Comparative Literature offers offers a wide range of courses recognising traditional values in the discipline yet reflecting its changing shape.
5% Mathematics
Maths majors are exposed to all the main branches of modern mathematics; algebra, analysis, and geometry, as well as their subdivisions and hybrids such a number theory and differential geometry.
Hear from Crimson student, Defne, who was accepted into Columbia's Class of 2027.
Defne had a passion for learning languages and studied German, Russian and French in school. She connected that with her interest in philosophy for her application. Learn how Defne gained admission to Columbia by working with her Crimson strategist.
Learn more about Columbia
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FAQs
Where is Columbia University located?
Columbia University is located in Upper Manhattan, New York, USA.
What are the admission requirements for Columbia University?
Admission requirements for Columbia University include submitting the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with official transcripts, optional SAT or ACT scores (with essay), teacher and counselor recommendations. Applicants are also required to complete a writing supplement.
What is the tuition fee for Columbia University?
The tuition fee for Columbia University for the 2022-2023 academic year is $65,524. However, the total cost of attendance, including room and board, books, and other expenses, is estimated to be around $85,967 per year.
What are the most popular majors at Columbia University?
The most popular majors at Cornell University are Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Biology.
How competitive is admissions to Columbia University?
Admission to Columbia University is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 4% for the class of 2026. In 2021, the university received 61,110 applications.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Columbia University?
The student-faculty ratio at Columbia University is 6:1, which means that for every nine students, there is one faculty member.
What is the average class size at Columbia University?
The average class size at Columbia University is around 20 students.
What is the graduation rate of Columbia University?
The graduation rate of Columbia University is around 95.8%, which is one of the highest in the country.
What is the campus culture like at Columbia University?
Columbia has a diverse campus culture that reflects its Ivy League status and urban setting. The campus culture at Columbia is characterized by academic rigor, a commitment to research, and a diverse student body.
In terms of extracurricular activities, Columbia has over 500 student organizations, including cultural clubs, athletic teams, and community service organizations. The campus also hosts numerous events throughout the year, including lectures, performances, and conferences.
Who are some notable alumni of Columbia University?
Some notable alumni of Cornell University include John Jay, founding father and first Supreme Court chief justice, former President Barack Obama, aviator Amelia Earhart, pianist Alicia Keys and actors Kate McKinnon and James Franco, among others.
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