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Columbia University Admissions 2025
One of the top-ranked Ivy League universities, Columbia University is renowned for its research centers, distinctive and distinguished learning environment, excellence in teaching, and the large campus in New York City. Students are also compelled by Columbia University rankings and its campus. As per the Fall 2024 enrollment, over 57,000 students applied for Columbia University admission, of which over 2,000 were admitted and around 1,500 were enrolled.
The university offers a wide range of Columbia degree programs. The Columbia University majors include over 100 programs in specializations, such as Computer Science; Data Science; Sustainability Science; Applied Physiology; Business Analytics; Financial Engineering; Management Science and Engineering; and more.
The Columbia University cost for international students range between INR 50L and INR 57L for UG, and INR 19L and INR 1.2Cr for PG. However, there are various Columbia University scholarships available for international applicants to reduce the cost to some extent.
As per the official enrollment statistics for Fall 2023, the Columbia University acceptance rate was 4%. The low percentage shows that the university is extremely stringent during admissions and follows the toughest selection criteria to select the students for its class. Factors, such as class rank, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities are prioritized during the selection process.
Also, check the Ivy League universities, courses, eligibility in the video given below:
Tips for a strong Columbia Application:
Columbia University reviews the application based on each part of the application submitted by the students. Some of the crucial factors on which students must work to increase their admission chances are:
Academic Performance: Columbia prioritizes students’ applications with a strong academic record, including a high GPA, challenging coursework, and a strong class rank.
Extracurricular Activities: Students must be involved in extracurricular activities, and volunteer work that can positively impact the community is a big factor
Standardized test scores: The university offers test options for the SAT/ACT. However, students must prefer to submit them if they score well.
Application Essays: Here, students must discuss their values, why they want to join, their achievements, why they should be them, their personality, and interests.
Recommendations: Students must be ready with two teacher recommendations. Strong letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors can positively impact admissions decisions.
Also Check: Study Guide to USA for International Students
Columbia University Admissions 2025 Highlights
International students can complete their Columbia University application process via the Common App/ Coalition App for UG and the Columbia University application portal for PG. Students must fulfill the basic eligibility and submit the required documents requested by the university. Once fulfilling the eligibility and submitting the necessary paperwork, students must pay the Columbia University fees to apply. Below are the Columbia University admission requirements for international students:
Particular |
Columbia University Info |
---|---|
Application portal |
UG: Common App/ Coalition App on Scoir PG: University portal |
Application fee |
UG: USD 85 PG: USD 85- USD 150 |
Acceptance rate |
4% |
English language tests accepted |
|
Standardized tests required |
|
International application deadlines |
UG: Nov 1, 2025 (Early Decision) PG (Columbia Engineering): closed |
Columbia University Courses and Fees 2025
Columbia University offers more than 100 degree programs on the undergraduate as well as postgraduate levels in leading fields such as Arts, Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Sciences, and several more. Coming to the Columbia University admission fee varies depending on the level of study and the course chosen by the applicant. Check below the list of Columbia University admission requirements, 1st-year tuition fees, and duration:
Columbia University PG Programs and Requirements
PG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
Interview |
---|---|---|---|---|
(9 months-2 years) |
|
TOEFL: 99 - 114, IELTS: 7 & Above, GRE, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT |
|
Required |
(9 months-3 years) |
|
TOEFL: 99 - 114, GRE, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, PTE: 68 & Above, Duolingo: 134 & Above, GMAT |
|
Video interview required |
(9 months-5 years) |
|
TOEFL: 100 - 114, GRE, IELTS: 7 - 7.5, GMAT |
|
Not required
|
(9 months-2 years) |
|
TOEFL: 99 - 114, IELTS: 7 & Above, GRE, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT |
|
Required |
(1 year-4 years) |
|
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo |
|
Not required |
Columbia University UG Programs and Requirements
UG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
---|---|---|---|
(4 years) |
|
IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 - 105, Duolingo: 135 & Above |
|
(4-5 years) |
|
IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 - 105, Duolingo: 135 & Above |
|
(4 years) |
|
IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 105 & Above, Duolingo: 135 & Above |
|
(4 years) |
|
IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 105 & Above, Duolingo: 135 & Above |
|
( 4 years) |
|
IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 105 & Above, Duolingo: 135 & Above |
|
Also Read: Cost of living in the USA for Indian students
Columbia University Tuition Fees and Other Expenses 2025:
Columbia University tuition for international students is based on the program and level of study. For undergraduates, the tuition cost ranges between INR 51L and INR 58L, whereas the graduate tuition cost lies between INR 20L and INR 1 Cr. Along with the tuition, students must cover various expenses including housing, international service fee, health insurance, books and personal expenses, transportation, and more. However, students can avail need-based financial aid which typically include non-repayable Columbia grants and students work study opportunities. Students can check the tuition cost and cost of attendance below:
Courses |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
---|---|
MS (56 courses) |
INR 28 L - 1 Cr |
MBA/PGDM (20 courses) |
INR 44 L - 78 L |
BE / BTech (14 courses) |
INR 50 L - 58 L |
MA (140 courses) |
INR 20 L - 73 L |
MIM (19 courses) |
INR 44 L - 78 L |
BA (56 courses) |
INR 57 L - 58 L |
Others PG (27 courses) |
INR 28 L - 99 L |
BSc (20 courses) |
INR 57 L - 58 L |
Particulars |
Cost of Attendance |
---|---|
Tuition |
UG: USD 68,400 (INR 58 L) PG: USD 38,214 (INR 32 L) |
Housing and Food |
USD 16,800 (INR 14 L) |
Books and Personal expenses |
USD 3,742 (INR 3.1L) |
Also Check: Columbia University Rankings
Columbia University Application Deadlines 2025
Students from all over the globe can take admission to Columbia University in Spring, and Fall intakes or on an Early, Regular, or Priority basis. The Columbia University admission deadlines for undergraduates and graduates are given below:
School/college |
Early |
Regular |
Priority |
---|---|---|---|
Columbia School of General Studies(UG):
|
Nov 1, 2025 |
closed |
Closed |
Columbia College/ Columbia Engineering(UG):
|
Closed |
Closed |
- |
Columbia Engineering (MS/MBA):
|
- |
Feb 15, 2026 |
Jan 15, 2026 |
Also Read: Admission Intakes in US Universities
Columbia University Visa Requirements for International Students
International students must receive their I-20/DS-2019 and pay the SEVIS fee, after that, they must fill out their DS-160 visa application and schedule visa interview. Students must submit the following documents before attending the interview and get the review mail from the university:
- Passport
- D-160 Confirmation Page
- Valid I-20/DS-2019
- Copy of Columbia offer letter
- SEVIS fee receipt
- Financial documents
Also Read: USA Study Visa Requirement for Indian Students
Check out the below video of Columbia University for more Information:
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Columbia University offers applications to international undergraduate and graduate applicants at the start and end of the year. Undergraduate applicants can take Early or Regular admission, whereas postgraduate students' application deadlines vary based on the college and specialization. The UG and PG application deadline for international students are given below:
Particulars | Deadline |
---|---|
Early Decision UG | Nov 1, 2025 |
Regular Decision UG | Jan 1, 2026 |
Columbia Engineering PG | Jan 15, 2026 |
Computer Science PG | Feb 15, 2026 |
Columbia School of Professional Studies (Early) | Oct 15, 2025 |
Columbia University MBA Admissions 2024
Columbia University provides 9-month to 2-year MBA courses for international students in specializations such as Business Analytics, Financial Engineering, Management Science & Engineering, Technology Management, Economics, Applied Analytics, Financial Economics, Enterprise Risk Management, Marketing Science, and Sports Management. The tuition fee ranges between INR 44L and INR 76 L. The basic eligibility criteria include a bachelor’s degree from an institution of acceptable standing, transcripts, GPA score, GMAT/GRE score, essay, Letter of Recommendation, and Resume.
Also Read: How to write Columbia MBA Essay?
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting Exams: PTE, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, GRE, GMAT
Columbia UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
Columbia University Admission FAQs
Columbia Business School does not have a minimum GPA requirement for admission to its MBA program. But according to unofficial sources the average GPA of admitted applicants at Columbia MBA is 3.6. Moreover, 80% of the class have a GPA between 3.1 and 3.9.
Admission to Columbia University Engineering course is exceptionally challening, mainly beacuse of it's rigorous standards and also beacuse it's one of the top Ivy league. The Columbia University's acceptance rate is just 3.9%. That means only 3.9 out of 100 people are selected. However, students aiming to study at Columbia University for Engineering course should not be demotivated by the acceptance rate. As all they need to do is follow the requirements thoroughly and give a strong portfolio that would pursuade the faculty or team of Columbia University.
International students must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English to be considered for Columbia University admission. Students can demonstrate that they are proficient in English by submitting the English proficiency test scores.
Your home language is English.
Your primary language of instruction at school has been English for the duration of your secondary school career.
You earned one or more of the following subsection scores:
700 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT
29 or higher on the English or Reading sections of the ACT
Note: If candidates meet, one or more of the above criteria, then fulfilled Columbia’s English language proficiency requirement. If they do not, then they need to take one of the following English Language Proficiency exams:
Want to have a good score in IELTS? then check out : Free IELTS classes
English proficiency test | Scores |
---|---|
TOEFL | A minimum score of 105 |
IELTS | A minimum score of 7.5 |
DET | A minimum score of 135 |
Also check, the IELTS Indicator
Columbia Business Schools requires that the work contained in the applicant’s application is accurate. Offers of admission will be rescinded should any misrepresentation and/or omission occur. Students can check below the requirements for the Columbia MBA application:
Academic Transcripts
GPA
GMAT, Executive Assessment, or GRE Score
Resume
Essays
Recommendation
Application Submitted/Received
Interview
Application Fee
Re-applicant Checklist
Deposits
Major ranking providers like QS and Times Higher Education rank Columbia University among the top universities in the world while US News has ranked it among the top 15 Universities in the World for 2025. Given below are Columbia University world ranking as mentioned in the prominent rankings:
Ranking Source | World Ranking 2025 |
---|---|
QS - World University Ranking | #34 |
THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking | #18 |
US News & World Report - Global Universities | #13 |
Students can also check the list of the World's Top 100 Universities
Yes, it is hard to get admission into the Columbia MBA programme because of the high competition. The Columbia University acceptance rate for the MBA programme is around 22%. For the class of 2022, the Columbia Business School receive 6177 applications out of which 1363 are admitted to the Columbia MBA program. International students require a good GPA and academic profile to get into the university Students can know more about MBA in the USA and then apply.
International applicants looking to study MBA at Columbia must submit their GMAT, Executive Assessment, or GRE score when applying. Columbia Business School considers scores to be valid for five years after your test date. Students can check below the GMAT score and other test scores required for MBA admission 2024:
Exam | Score |
---|---|
GMAT Scores (average) | 729 |
GMAT Scores (range) | 550 – 780 |
GMAT Scores (middle 80%) | 700 – 760 |
Undergraduate GPA (average) | 3.6 |
Undergraduate GPA (middle 80%) | 3.1 – 3.9 |
21 schools at Columbia University offers various comprising undergraduate and postgraduate options to students. Check below the list of Columbia schools:
Columbia University Schools | ||
---|---|---|
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, & Preservation | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | School of the Arts |
Barnard College | Columbia Business School | Columbia Climate School |
Columbia College | Columbia Journalism School | Columbia Law School |
College of Dental Medicine | Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science | School of General Studies |
School of International and Public Affairs | Jewish Theological Seminary | School of Nursing |
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Teachers College | School of Social Work |
Union Theological Seminary | School of Professional Studies | Mailman School of Public Health |
Columbia University is test-optional for applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Standardized testing is not a required component of the Columbia application. International students may choose to submit testing or choose not to submit test scores. Below are the testing policies for students who do choose to submit testing:
Take either the ACT or the SAT
Columbia does not consider the optional writing section
Students can take standardized tests as late as November for Early Decision and January for Regular Decision
International applicants and non-native speakers of English should refer to our English proficiency requirements:
TOEFL - A minimum score of 105
IELTS - A minimum score of 7.5
DET - A minimum score of 135
Yes, it is a good choice for international students to study Columbia University MBA in the USA because of its high ranking in the world. Columbia ranks among the top 10 MBA universities in the world since 2021. According to QS MBA Ranking 2023, the university ranks 8th in the world and 5th in the USA for business studies.
Columbia Business School | Statistics |
---|---|
Students enrolled | 2,472 |
International Student % | 39.4% |
Alumni | 49,308 |
Graduate Employed | 95% (within first three months) |
Countries Represented | 123 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular courses offered by Columbia Uni and students across the globe desire to pursue this course. Mentioned below are some interesting facts of the Columbia University MBA course:
- MBA course stands in the top 10 business schools across the world.
- Median salary of an MBA graduate of Columbia University is USD 175,000 per year.
- Columbia Business School (CBS) is about 12 km from New York City which paves the way for students to have one of the best job opportunities in the world. New York City is known as "door to success"
- Columbia University MBA is in seventh position in Forbes’ list of Best US Business Schools and sixth in US News’ Best Business School (US) list.
- Its core structure consists of two full-term courses and eight half-term courses, forming the foundational experience for its students. This core curriculum is designed to help students with a deep understanding of essential academic disciplines and practical skills for success in the competitive business world.
Yes, Columbia University is known to offer athletic scholarships for a number of sports including American Football.
The scholarships are given on the basis of need & overall performance of a student & are available for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA & NJCAA.
As per data curated from unofficial sources, 34% athletes at the university are awarded scholarships.
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