Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 4.0%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 57,613
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 2,439
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,540
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 63%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 3.7%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 4.9%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–780
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 34–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 40% / 21%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- required
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- considered
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $89,472
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $71,845
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $71,845
- Median debt at graduation
- $21,500
- Students with federal loans
- 14%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 96%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $75,228
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $102,491
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 8,973
- Graduate students
- 26,009
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 6 : 1
- Women
- 50%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 23%
- Full-time faculty
- 43%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Interim President
- Katrina Armstrong
- Main phone
- (212) 854-1754
- Address
- West 116 St and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 1 | late March |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $85 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- Columbia-specific application questions
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers (Engineering: one math/science)
Testing: Optional for fall 2027 entry; SAT/ACT required from the 2027-28 cycle
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Need-blind for US citizens, eligible non-citizens and undocumented students; need-aware for internationals
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 14.0% (819 of 5,868)
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu, undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu, cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu, opir.columbia.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.