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Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university and is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. The university was established in the year 1754 and recognised as the number 1 Law university in the United States of America.
Columbia University student-faculty ratio is 6:1, Which suggests a close proximity among teachers and students. Columbia University Ivy League offers more than 3700 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for students applying in chemistry, business administration, design studies, law, finance, computer science, psychology, and other Columbia University courses.
Columbia University acceptance rate is only 4%, which makes it extremely competitive for international students. Overseas candidates seeking a wonderful career opportunity at Columbia must demonstrate an exceptional study background to get selected for the university. Applicants with strong academic profiles and English language skills are advised to apply for Columbia University admission before the deadlines. Candidates can demonstrate their command of the English language through IELTS, TOEFL-iBT, Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency, DET, and Cambridge English: C1 Proficiency certificates.
Columbia University is among the priciest universities in the USA, however, the institution offers a wide range of need-based scholarships for international students. For the academic year 2023–2024, the first-year tuition cost for overseas students attending the institution is approximately $65,000 per year.
Columbia University has over 30,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programmes. Over 17,000 international students and scholars are enrolled at Columbia to varied degrees, according to the official report for 2022–2023. International students represent 27% of all undergraduate students, representing 145 different nationalities.
Columbia has a distinguished alumni network, including nine U.S. presidents, 100 Nobel Prize laureates, and numerous Pulitzer Prize winners. Columbia is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, Columbia is ranked 23rd in the world. Columbia University is a world-class institution that offers students an unparalleled educational experience. Its graduates go on to successful careers in all fields.
Among its illustrious alumni are nine U.S. presidents, one hundred Nobel laureates, and many Pulitzer Prize winners. Being a top-tier university, Columbia University provides students with a distinctive and rewarding learning environment.
As per Columbia University rankings, the university is listed 12 globally according to the 2024 report of US News & World Report rankings of National Universities. The university also ranked 23 in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. In the year 2024, the Times Higher Education has listed Columbia University in 17 position among the 1,904 world universities across 108 countries and regions.
The University is also highly ranked for its strong academics across a wide range of disciplines and courses. In 2024, some of the popular Columbia University courses are ranked among the top 5 courses in the US including Law, Business, Medicine, Journalism, and Economics.
Columbia University Ivy League offers more than 3700 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for students applying in chemistry, business administration, design studies, law, finance, computer science, psychology, and other Columbia University courses. Some of the popular courses of the university are ranked among the top 5 programmes in the United States.
Columbia University is also noted for its excellent multidisciplinary curricula, such as the Core Curriculum, which is compulsory for all undergraduates. Some of the popular Columbia University courses include Engineering, Electrical engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Data science. In addition to its traditional degree programmes, Columbia University also offers a variety of online courses and certificate programmes for students to learn new skills or advance their careers.
Columbia University tuition fee for international students varies depending on their course selection. For the academic year 2023-2024, the university charges approximately $65,000 for undergraduate admission and approximately $62,000-$78,000 for international postgraduate candidates. All students must register online through Student Services Online (SSOL) and make the required payment before the due date. However, students who register after the scheduled period are charged a late registration fee of $100.
Yes, it is expensive for international students to study at Columbia University. The university charges approximately $65,000 for each international candidate seeking admission to the university's undergraduate courses. Apart from the annual tuition fee, the candidates must take care of the essential living costs and course requirements including food, lodging, transportation, books, and others to complete their programme.
Columbia University Cost of Living
Category | Costs |
Rent, Utilities, and Food | $22,005 |
Commuting | $1,287 |
Books | $1,400 |
Student Activity Fee | $98 |
Career Education Fee | $51 |
Printing Fee | $42 |
Columbia University acceptance rate is only 4%, which makes it extremely difficult for international students to get accepted into university programmes. The university courses are available to students, and all application forms are accepted through its official application platform, which is known as the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application. Students seeking admission must apply and submit all required documentation. In some situations, applicants may additionally be required to submit exam results and attend an interview.
Documents required for admission to Columbia University:
International students are required to upload the following documents to send their candidature as an international aspirant:
English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Publications (optional)
Video Interview
Columbia University Application Fees: All international applicants applying for undergraduate programmes must pay a non-refundable fee of $85 to submit their application forms. Students can make the required payment online using an electronic check or Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card.
Columbia University Application Deadlines: Columbia University application deadlines for first-year students for the years 2023-2024 are given below:
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Columbia University scholarships are available for all international students irrespective of their economic background and citizenship status. All admitted first-year students will have 100% of their demonstrated needs met by Columbia. To apply for any of Columbia University's scholarships or fellowships, students must submit a separate application. Annually, a significant amount of financial aid is applied for and awarded to international students; for the 2022–2023 academic year, international financial aid will exceed $19 million. Some of the popular Columbia University scholarships for international students include:
Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students
Shardashish Fellowship
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
Inlaks Scholarships
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
International candidates seeking admission to the University of Columbia must complete the following academic requirements to get admission at the university.
Academic Requirements for International Undergraduates
A high school diploma or its equivalent from an approved institution is required of applicants.
Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, SAT, and ACT.
Academic Requirements for International Graduate Students
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent credential from an accredited institution.
Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, SAT, and ACT.
Columbia University requires international applicants who are not native English speakers to establish their English language proficiency (ELP) before granting them admission. The following standard tests must be completed with a minimum score in order to be eligible:
Columbia University English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test Scores
Test | Score |
IELTS | 7.5 |
TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT) | 105 |
DET (Duolingo English Test) | 135 |
Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 191 |
On-campus accommodation is a provided facility to its students. There are approximately 94 percent of all undergraduates and 99 percent of all first-year students live in residence halls. The students have around 19 undergraduate residence halls like Furnald Hall, Harmony Hall, John Jay Hall, Mc Bain Hall, and more. There are also 18 brownstones also traditional residential settings as well as special living communities to stay. The rates are in the range of $10,416 to $11,600.
Every first and second-year student is required to live on campus unless they meet one of the exemption categories:
Columbia University has more than 30 undergraduate residential halls under its administration which are provided with necessary facilities and comfort.
The University of Columbia Libraries includes Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Business & Economics Library in Uris, Business Library at Manhattanville, Butler Library, and more. Social Work Library is a world-class academic system of library and research that creates, sustains, and makes discoverable collections that cross traditional boundaries of format and domain. The collection of the Libraries includes resources in over 450 languages and primary source materials spanning over 4,000 years of human thought. The collection includes 13 million volumes, over 160,000 journals and serials, and extensive electronic resources, as well as manuscripts, rare books, microforms, maps, and graphic and audio-visual materials.
Columbia University facilities at the libraries include-
Columbia University New York is very invested in the welfare of its students' health. The university has Columbia University Athletics which has sports like Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, and more for men, and Archery, Lacrosse, Golf, Rowing, and more for women.
There is P.E. and recreation which consists of classes, fitness center memberships, club sports outdoor activities, individual sports, intramurals, camps, fitness, wellness for students, and more.
The University of Columbia has two fully-equipped gyms with regular fitness programs, and these include
Disabled students are provided with many facilities and include-
Columbia Dining is dedicated to one thing: delicious food. This enthusiasm pervades every aspect of the university’s business and every delectable meal they serve. It is what drives the university’s daily decisions, from the nutritious, high-quality ingredients they use to the sustainable practices woven into every aspect of the business. The food is locally sourced, and home cooked with keen attention paid to nutrition, food allergy, and special diets. The university also has special culinary chefs and are also advocates of sustainability and resource management.
Food outlets include dining Halls like
The students are also offered on-Campus Meal Plan Costs
Students are provided Insurance, Health services, Nonremedial tutoring, and Placement service to live a healthy campus life.
Columbia University acceptance rate is a mere 4%, therefore, International students find it very challenging to be accepted into university programmes at Columbia. According to the 2022-2023 official report, more than 17,000 international students and scholars are enrolled at Columbia to varying degrees. 27% of the total undergraduate student population is covered by overseas learners across 145 nationalities. International students seeking assistance with Columbia University admission can International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) for queries regarding student visas, maintaining their status, etc.
Yes, admission into Columbia University is very competitive for international students. Students with strong academic records and stellar student profiles are admitted to Columbia because of the university's extremely low acceptance rate. In addition to having a GPA of at least 3.0, applicants must exhibit their ELP abilities in order to be admitted to Columbia University.
No, it's commonly believed that Columbia is easier to get into than Harvard. Harvard and Columbia have different admission rates for the class of 2027: 3.4% and 4%, respectively. This indicates that compared to Columbia, Harvard admitted a lower proportion of its candidates.
Candidates must have a 3.0 GPA score on a scale of 4 to get admission to Columbia. However, candidates with a GPA score of 3.5 or higher are generally preferred.
Both Harvard University and Columbia University are renowned Ivy League schools of the highest calibre. Harvard routinely receives higher ranks than Columbia in academic publications. Harvard is ranked #3 and Columbia is placed 18 in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings of national institutions.
Yes, Columbia University acceptance rate is only 4%, which suggests the highly selective mode of admission for international students. International students must demonstrate an exceptional academic profile to get admission to Columbia.