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Columbia University

#23 Worldwide🇺🇸 New York, NY, United States

Tuition

$65,524

Acceptance

3.9%

Students

33,000

About Columbia University

An Ivy League university in the heart of Manhattan, Columbia is known for its Core Curriculum, journalism, and global affairs. Its location offers unmatched access to industry and culture.

Ivy LeagueUrbanPrivateResearch

Why Students Choose Columbia University

  • Ranked #23 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 50% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (18 students) for close faculty access.
  • A large campus with broad program variety and a vibrant student scene.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Selectivity

Acceptance Rate3.9%
Students on Aid50%

More selective than ~95% and ranked better than ~92% of the 253 schools in our directory.

At a Glance

Quick Stats

Student Pop.

33,000

Faculty Ratio

6:1

Avg. Class Size

18

Financial Aid

50%

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Verified Aid Policy

Need-aware for internationalMeets full demonstrated need

Columbia's official page states US citizens/permanent residents/DACA/undocumented students are read in a need-blind manner, while international students are evaluated in a need-aware manner. Columbia meets 100% of a family's demonstrated need for admitted international students. Direct WebFetch blocked (403); corroborated via search-result quotations of the official page.

Source

Similar Universities

Duke University

🇺🇸 United States · #25

Cornell University

🇺🇸 United States · #20

Johns Hopkins University

🇺🇸 United States · #28

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Columbia University?

Columbia University admits approximately 3.9% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Columbia University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 65,524 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Columbia University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Columbia University offers Need-based Aid, and about 50% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Columbia University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Columbia University?

Columbia University offers 5 broad fields of study: Business, Law, Medicine, Arts & Design, Social Sciences.

How big are classes at Columbia University?

The average class size is 18 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, across a large campus of about 33,000 students.

Columbia University

🇺🇸 New York, NY, United States · USA

#23

Global Ranking

Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on July 17, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.columbia.edu.

At a Glance

Established1754
Student Population33,000
Faculty Ratio6:1
Average Class Size18
Acceptance Rate3.9%
Annual Tuition$65,524
Financial Aid Recipients50%
Application DeadlineJan 01
Websitehttps://www.columbia.edu

About Columbia University

An Ivy League university in the heart of Manhattan, Columbia is known for its Core Curriculum, journalism, and global affairs. Its location offers unmatched access to industry and culture.

Tags: Ivy League · Urban · Private · Research

Why Students Choose Columbia University

  • Ranked #23 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 50% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (18 students) for close faculty access.
  • A large campus with broad program variety and a vibrant student scene.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Admissions — Highly Selective

With only 3.9% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.

This school is more selective than approximately 95% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 92% of them, and is more affordable than 3% (out of 253 schools compared).

Typical requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for non-native speakers
  • 3 letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors
  • Personal statement plus 2+ supplemental essays
  • Standardized test scores (optional at many schools, but top-decile scores strengthen the file)
  • Demonstrated depth in 1-2 extracurriculars rather than breadth across many

Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.

Cost of Attendance (Estimated, per year)

Tuition$65,524
Housing & Living$22,933
Books & Supplies$2,621
Personal Expenses$5,242
Total Cost of Attendance$96,320
Est. Average Grant / Aid- $19,657
Est. Net Price$45,867
4-Year Total (before aid)$385,280

Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.

Scholarships

  • Need-based Aid

Majors & Career Outcomes

Business — $65,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Entrepreneur

Law — $75,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Judge, Policy Advisor

Medicine — $80,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Physician, Surgeon, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist

Arts & Design — $52,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Art Director, UX Designer, Illustrator, Creative Director

Social Sciences — $54,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Policy Analyst, Economist, Counselor, HR Specialist

Campus Life

A classic urban campus in Morningside Heights, immersed in New York City life.

Suggested Application Timeline

  • 12+ weeks before: Request transcripts and letters of recommendation; start drafting your personal statement.
  • 8 weeks before: Finalize essays, gather standardized test scores, and complete the online application form.
  • 4 weeks before: Submit early — leave buffer time for technical issues or late-arriving documents.
  • Jan 01 — deadline: Hard deadline. All materials must be received by the admissions office.
  • After submitting: Track your applicant portal and respond promptly to any requests for more information.

Similar Universities to Consider

SchoolRankTuitionAcceptance
Duke University#25$63,0006%
Cornell University#20$63,2007%
Johns Hopkins University#28$60,4807%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Columbia University?

Columbia University admits approximately 3.9% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Columbia University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 65,524 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Columbia University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Columbia University offers Need-based Aid, and about 50% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Columbia University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Columbia University?

Columbia University offers 5 broad fields of study: Business, Law, Medicine, Arts & Design, Social Sciences.

How big are classes at Columbia University?

The average class size is 18 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, across a large campus of about 33,000 students.