Columbia University, New York
New York, United States of America | Estd in 1896 | Private University
THE Rank : 17 | QS Rank : 34
About Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university and is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. The Columbia University was established in the year 1754 and recognised as the number 1 Law university in the United States of America.
Columbia University's acceptance rate is only 4%, which makes it extremely competitive for international students. The applicants need to submit an application fee of USD 85 along with other required documents. Columbia University has a holistic admission approach for international students and does not require any minimum GPA requirements at the time of application hence, making the evaluation process subjective and integrated.
Columbia University's Latest Updates
The application dates for admissions might vary according to the intake a candidate is applying for in the year.
International students planning to apply for fall intake must apply by March 1 and submit most of their documents on time.
Applicants planning to apply for the spring intake on October 1 must submit their application by January 1, ensuring that most documents are submitted on a priority basis.
Columbia University is ranked among the top universities in the world during the year 2024 due to its reputation and prestige. Columbia University’s QS World University Rankings have been 23 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. The US News and World Report ranked Columbia University at 12 among 439 other national universities and 7 in Best Global Universities in 2024.
Columbia University offers a wide range of courses such as chemistry, business administration, design studies, law, finance, computer science, psychology, and other Columbia University courses for more than 3,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The ratio between them and students remains 6:1, with the average class strength retaining around 10 students per class.
Columbia University also has entrance exam criteria for applicants with strong academic profiles and English language skills. Hence, they 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, Columbia University’s fee for first-year tuition cost for Indian or International students is approximately USD 65,000 (Rs. 54,11,939) 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 University is currently a number one Law university which is situated in the United States of America. It is famous because many great alumni have been a part of the university at some point in time. There are around 9 presidents of the United States, 100 Nobel Prize laureates, numerous Pulitzer Prize winners, and many more who were once students of Columbia University.
Columbia University Notable Alumni
Some of the most notable alumni who have graduated from Columbia University are working in high positions at prestigious and well-known organisations or have become entrepreneurs for global companies. The list for the same has been provided below for the most notable alumni of Columbia University.
Personalities | Profession |
Alexander Hamilton | Founding Father of the United States |
Barack Obama | 44th President of the United States |
Franklin D. Roosevelt | 32nd President of the United States |
B. R. Ambedkar | Founding Father of India |
Jake Gyllenhaal | actor and film producer |
Read more: Benefits of studying in the USA
Columbia University Highlights
- Domestic: 7389
- International: 1513
Columbia University Ranking and Stats
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.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
Ranking by year
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Columbia University Courses
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 curriculam, 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.
Accreditations
Columbia University Affiliated Colleges
Columbia University Cost Of Living
Columbia University tuition fee for international students varies depending on their course selection. For the academic year 2023-2024, the university charges approximately USD 65,000 for undergraduate admission and approximately USD 62,000- USD 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 USD 100.
Columbia University - Tuition fees
Item | Details |
Tuition fee | USD 65,000 |
Rents, Utilities, and Food | USD 22,005 |
Commuting | USD 1,287 |
Books | USD 1,400 |
Students Activity Fee | USD 98 |
Career Education fee | USD 51 |
Printing fee | USD 41 |
International student fee | USD 150 |
Is it expensive to study at the university?
Yes, it is expensive for international students to study at Columbia University. The university charges approximately USD 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 Admission and Application
Columbia University's 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.
How to apply to UG & PG courses at Columbia University?
The application process to foreign universities can be a little tricky business. However, we are providing you with a step-by-step procedure to ensure a smooth and hassle-free application process. The details for applying to Columbia University are as follows:
Go to the official website
Check application deadline
Fill up the application form
Upload required documents
Update personal information
Submit academic transcripts
Submit English Language proficiency result
Submit a recommendation letter (if required)
Apply and wait for admission decision
Columbia University Application Fees
All international applicants applying for undergraduate programmes at Columbia University must pay a non-refundable fee of USD 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
Intake | Deadline |
Fall | March 1 |
Spring | January 1 |
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 Scholarship
Columbia University scholarships for international or Indian students are available 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 USD 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
Columbia University Eligibility
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 to be eligible:
Columbia University English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test Scores
Exam | Scores required |
TOEFL | 105 |
IELTS | 7.5 |
Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 191 |
135 |
Columbia University Campus Facilities
Boys Hostel
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:
- Living in Richland or Lexington county with your parent(s)/guardian(s).
- Living with your spouse and/or children.
- 21 years or older.
Girls Hostel
Columbia University has more than 30 undergraduate residential halls under its administration which are provided with necessary facilities and comfort.
Library
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-
- Use, borrow, request, and renew books from the libraries
- Make use of the many E-resources available
- Ask a Librarian
- Access Alumni resources
- Many services and tools for students are available
Sports
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.
Gym
The University of Columbia has two fully-equipped gyms with regular fitness programs, and these include
- The Dodge Fitness Center provides students with the following facilities within memberships
- Access to the tri-level fitness center, open 114 hours per week during the academic year and 90 hours during the summer
- Access to an eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool
- Access to our indoor running track
- Access to open recreation hours in Levien and Blue Gymnasiums, as well as squash/racquetball courts
- Free equipment checkout
- Towel and locker service (additional fee may apply)
- And personal trainers, classes, and group sports programs for additional fees
- 50 Haven Athletic Center
- Locker rooms, restrooms, and sauna
- Cardio room
- Aerobics room
- Free weight room
- Strength training room
- Pool
- Basketball court
- Squash court
Physical Challenged Student
Disabled students are provided with many facilities and include-
- Extended time for tests
- Learning Center
- Registration and seating priority
- Reading machines
- Substitution Courses
- Provision of scribes
- Adaptive equipment
- Braille
- Interpreters for hearing-impaired
Cafeteria
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
- Ferris Booth Commons
- JJ's Place
- John Jay Dining Hall
- Columbia Dining @ Faculty House
- Chef Mike's Sub Shop
- Chef Don's Pizza Pi
The students are also offered on-Campus Meal Plan Costs
- 19 meals/week: $2,185 (Required for First Years)
- 15 meals/week: $2,125
- 10 meals/week: $2,000 (Seniors Only)
- 5 meals/week: $900 (Commuters Only)
Medical/Hospital
Students are provided Insurance, Health services, Nonremedial tutoring, and Placement service to live a healthy campus life.
Columbia University International Office Details
Columbia University's 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. Overseas learners cover 27% of the total undergraduate student population 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.
All overseas students can contact Carleton University at the following details:
Address: Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Columbia College
1301 Columbia College
Columbia, SC 29203
Contact: 803.786. 3766
Email-ID: mbrannen@columbiasc.edu
Is it hard to get into Columbia University as an international student?
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 shallow acceptance rate. In addition to having a GPA of at least 3.0, applicants must exhibit their ELP abilities to be admitted to Columbia University.
Columbia University Gallery
Gallery
FAQ's
The Columbia University fees for Indian students range between (approx.) USD 65,000 (Rs.54,14,331) for International or Indian students. The given data might fluctuate depending upon the intake session and programme as per the applicant’s choice. The cost will also be subject to change as per the living cost expenses of international students in the USA.
Columbia University have a holistic admission approach for international students and does not require any minimum GPA requirements at the time of application hence, making the evaluation process subjective and integrated.
Columbia University’s acceptance rate is 4% which makes it highly competitive for Indian or International students to get enrolled as the forms are accepted on a first-come and prerequisite basis. All applicants seeking admission must apply before the given official deadline according to their intake season. Aspiring candidates must fill out the official application form while submitting all the required documents and details on the Columbia University official website.
