Columbia University
About Columbia University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, with top programs in journalism, law, business, medicine, and the arts. The campus is in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.
Founded
1754
Location
New York, New York
Students
34,982
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
4%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
96.1%
Above national average
Tuition
$71,845
Per year
Avg Net Price
$21,590
After financial aid
SAT Average
1553
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$102,491
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 4 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$85
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 1
With a 4% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1553, Columbia University is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1553/ 1600
ACT Scores
35/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
96.1% complete their degree within six years
Retention
98%
4-Year Grad
86%
6-Year Grad
95%
Teaching Quality
6:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
42.7%
$/Student
$110.4K
Class Size
Small
86% of students graduate on time, and with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$71,845
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,580
Books & Supplies
$1,440
Total Cost of Attendance
$89,472
After Financial Aid
$21,590
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$4,570
Receive Grants
22.7%
Take Loans
13.7%
Don't let the $71,845 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $21,590 after financial aid, a 70% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $4,570.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Columbia University fund their education.
While in School
22.7%
Get Grants
Free money
13.7%
Take Loans
Must repay
$31,310
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$21,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$228/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 13.7% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $21,500. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Columbia University.
Gender
49.8%
Female
50%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
8,973
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
26,009
Graduates
25%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
14.1%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (50% women, 50% men). 25% are first-generation college students. 19.7% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
8,973
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +New York City is literally your campus
- +Morningside Heights is a beautiful neighborhood
- +Core Curriculum gives a shared intellectual experience
- +Unmatched internship and career access
Cons
- -NYC cost of living is extremely high
- -Campus is compact with limited green space
- -City distractions can pull you from academics
- -Core Curriculum is rigid and time-consuming
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Columbia University fields 18 varsity teams with 973 student athletes, about 11% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Ivy League
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
18
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
973
11% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
53% / 47%
519
Men
454
Women
13
Men's Teams
14
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Columbia Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$102,491
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$119K
391 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$83K
360 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$61K
232 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
$53K
166 grads
1yr Earnings
History
$54K
152 grads
1yr Earnings
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
$34K
89 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $89K six years out, climb to $96K by year eight, and reach $102K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia University
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia University?▾
How much does Columbia University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Columbia University?▾
How much do Columbia University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.