Columbia University in the City of New York
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The urban Ivy League campus houses 17 libraries and 20 schools, which offer upwards of 350 majors, as well as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest cathedral in the world. As the birthplace of FM radio and the first literary magazine in the nation, Columbia University has a prominent Journalism School, and houses the archives of winning Pulitzer Prize entries in journalism dating from 1917 to the present.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | March 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | May 15 |
Admitted Student Stats
23%
Submitting ACT
44%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 35
Average SAT Composite: 1511
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
34,782
Total Number of Undergrads
8,902
Classroom Sizes
0
100
84%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
95%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
6:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $68,171 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $68,171 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $16,800 |
| Books and Supplies | $1392 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
59%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
22%
Average Aid Per Year
$61,061
22%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,938
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$57,610
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
10%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$16,849
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$205
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
500
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
No
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Housing
0
100
92%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Lions
School Colors
columbia blue and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Ivy Group
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
New York
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Washington
Boston
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
70%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$115,600
What Students Are Saying
Between the Common Core and the city of New York, it is difficult to conceive of an education more intellectually stimulating than that which Columbia provides. The Core allows students to engage with the great thinkers of the past, while New York City provides a wealth of cultural opportunities both historically oriented and contemporary. The result is an environment which enables students to conceive and accomplish important work.
Nathan from Cincinnati, OH
It can be the best four years of your life and make all your dreams come true. However, there are MANY obstacles that will try and stop you from achieving this. In this end, it all depends on how forward-thinking, mature, in-the-moment you are and your general outlook of life.
ESTEBAN from Fullerton, CA
The connections made with professors and instructors are great. The climate (in terms of the resources available) is perfect for the student who is itching to be independent and loves the city. However, it gets cold fast and stays cold for long periods of time - it snowed late April and was cold enough for coats in early May.
Esther from Bowie, MD
Columbia University is extremely challenging and therefore extremely rewarding. It does not allow you room to be average or mediocre because it encourages excellence. CU will show you what you are made of.
Krizia from Fort Bragg, NC
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