Student Life at Columbia University: What It’s Like to Live in New York City
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Student Life at Columbia University: What It’s Like to Live in New York City

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Updated on Nov 25, 2025 17:33 IST
NYC offers a vibrant and culturally rich student life, with the presence of some of the best universities in USA, diverse courses, better research opportunities, and the possibility of working at some of the best companies in the world. In this article, we’ll primarily be talking about student life in Columbia University in the city of New York.

Home to over 1.2 million international students, New York City, also known as the “Big Apple” and “City That Never Sleeps”, is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and offers a vibrant mix of communities.

New York City

New York City

Known for famous landmarks including Times Square and Statue of Liberty NYC is also a global hub of fashion and technology. Some of the best universities in the world located here in the city. Columbia University and New York University are among them.

In this article, we’ll primarily be talking about student life in Columbia University in the city of New York. So folks, fasten your seatbelts, let’s dive in!

Table of contents
  • Student Life in New York
  • Student Life at Columbia University
  • Types of Student Housing in New York
  • Average Rent in New York
  • Other NYC Neighborhoods You Should Avoid
  • NYC Neighborhood
  • Crime Rate per 100k people
View More

Student Life in New York

NYC offers culturally rich student life, with the presence of some of the best universities in USA, diverse courses, better research opportunities, and the possibility of working at some of the best companies in the world, post-graduation, such as Google, IBM, Deloitte, American Express, and JPMorgan Chase and Co. The city subway runs 24 hours a day.

Student Life at Columbia University

Columbia University USA is part of the top 10 universities in USA, and is home to over 1,200 Indian students. Students can choose from more than 100 degree options across prominent fields of study. The university faculty comprises several Nobel Prize winners that is always there to guide its students, while the Morningside Heights campus plays host to the largest athletics program in New York City.  

In their free time, students are spotted hanging around cafes, restaurants, and food trucks on the university campus.

Columbia graduates land high-paying jobs after their studies, with an average annual salary figure standing at USD 175,000 (INR 1.5 Cr).

Amazon, Morgan Stanley, and Barclays are some other top companies, in addition to the ones mentioned above, that recruit students from Columbia University.

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Types of Student Housing in New York

While there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to housing near universities in New York City, the three main options include Studio Apartment, Ensuite Rooms, and Shared Apartments.







Type of Accommodation

What to Expect

Ideal For

Studio Apartment

  • Combined Living and Sleeping Area
  • Compact Kitchen
  • Separate Bathroom
  • Limited Privacy

Students who prefer a minimalist lifestyle value affordability and low maintenance

Ensuite Rooms

  • Direct Access to the Hallway via the bedroom
  • A private bathroom
  • More Spacious than shared apartments
  • Better Privacy

Students who prioritize privacy, convenience, and a more personalized space

Shared Apartments

  • Better Social Life
  • Shared Responsibilities
  • Better Affordability
  • Reduced Privacy

Students seeking to reduce the cost of living, develop social connections, and learning new skills and culture

Average Rent in New York

Given a detailed breakdown of the average rent in New York per month for different room types:

Type of Accommodation

Average Monthly Rent (in USD)

Average Monthly Rent (in INR)

Studio Apartment

USD 3,263

INR 2.84 L

Ensuite Rooms

USD 1,000-USD 1,500

INR 87 K-INR 1.3 L

Shared Apartments

USD 1,550

INR 1.34 L

Note: The above information is taken from multiple online sources and is therefore subject to variation.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = INR 87.05

Other NYC Neighborhoods You Should Avoid

The locations listed below have mild crime rates; some of these places still house students studying in local colleges and universities.

However, if possible, try and avoid the following locations, as issues of gang violence, theft, and illegal businesses are also prevalent here:

NYC Neighborhood

Crime Rate per 100k people

Jamaica, Queens

3,688

East New York

3,271

East Harlem

2,671

Source of Crime Rates: uHomes and Building Security Services and Systems

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Q:   What are the top scholarships for The University of Texas at El Paso and how to avail them?
A:

Following are some of top scholarships that University of Texas at El Paso offers-

1 Education Future International Scholarship offers scholarships to international students at UTEP who are enrolled in a variety of majors.
2 Those first-year students with a high school GPA of at least 96 are eligible to apply for the Presidential Excellence Scholarship.
3 Merit-based scholarships: Given out based on a student's academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, and other criteria.
4 Departmental Scholarships: These grants are only available to students majoring in specific subjects, such engineering and computer science.
5 Endowment scholarships, which are intended to help students in accordance with specified requirements, are funded by private contributors.

Q:   Why to choose The University of Texas at El Paso for MS in USA rather than University of Texas, Austin?
A:

For MS in the USA, the University of Texas at El Paso is preferable over the University of Texas at Austin because:

  • Compared to UT Austin, UTEP has more reasonably priced tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students.
  • Both colleges are well regarded and have engineering programs that have earned ABET accreditation. Although UT Austin may have more companies hiring in the discipline, UTEP was founded in engineering and may still provide excellent educational possibilities.
  • The student body at UTEP is extremely varied, which fosters an engaging learning environment.
  • El Paso, where UTEP is located, is a distinctive border city with a rich cultural heritage.
  • UTEP is a research university, providing students with the chance to research.
Q:   What scores do I need to have to get a scholarship at The University of Texas at El Paso?
A:

For the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) sholarship Indian students have to fulfill certain requirements. Although each scholarship does not specifically state the precise score, some noteworthy examples are listed below:

  • A minimum 96 high school GPA, graduation in the top three percent of your class, a minimum ACT/1220 SAT score of 27, and evidence of leadership talents and accomplishments are required for the Presidential Excellence Scholarship.
  • Certain scholarships might not have a set test score requirement; instead, they might take into account your leadership potential, extracurricular activities, and overall academic success.
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