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Mass Communication & Media Courses at Columbia University
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Last updated on 25 Nov '25Columbia University Mass Communication & MediaWhat's new?
The tentative deadlines for applying to 2026 admissions are given below:
- Master of Science program deadline is Dec, 2025
- Deadline for Ph.D. programs is Dec, 2025
- Deadline for Dual Degree Journalism programs is Jan, 2026
Admissions to the 2025 graduate degree programs at Columbia Journalism School are now closed.
- About Columbia Journalism School
- Columbia Journalism School Courses and Fees
- Columbia University Mass Communication & Media Popular Courses
- Columbia University Mass Communication & Media Popular Programs
- Columbia Journalism School Rankings
- Columbia Journalism School Admission Dates 2025
- Columbia Journalism School Admission Requirements 2025
- Columbia Journalism School Placements
- Columbia vs Harvard vs Stanford: Which is better?
- Columbia Journalism School Campus Life
- Columbia Journalism School Notable Alumni
- Columbia University Mass Communication & Media Students reviews
About Columbia Journalism School
Established in 1912, the Columbia Journalism School (CJS) is a part of the renowned Columbia University based in New York City, USA.
Joseph Pulitzer first proposed the idea of creation of a journalism school as part of the Columbia University campus way back in 1903, the school finally became a reality in 1912, a year after Pulitzer’s death, welcoming 79 students as part of its first class with Talcott Williams as the first director.
The school is accredited by prominent institutions including the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
It is known for offering multiple degree programs focused on a range of sectors mainly including: Data, Documentary, Investigative, Audio, Business, Politics, Arts & Culture & more.
The Columbia Journalism School is located in the Pulitzer Hall which is part of the Morningside Heights campus that spans 32 acres or six city blocks.
The school is rated highly by numerous university ranking platforms including Shiksha. As part of its latest popularity rankings, CJS is ranked #10 for its mass-communication studies & #9 for its Arts programs.
Commonly asked questions On About Mass Communication & Media
Columbia Journalism School is considered part of the best journalism institutions in the US. It is among a select group of institutions to be accredited by ACEJMC. The school's experienced faculty is always there to guide students over their educational journey & the campus offers a diverse & enriching learning environment.
Based on its acceptance rate of 3.85%, it can be inferred that the J-school is very selective at admitting students to its courses & only a handful of highly qualified individuals are admitted.
The tuition fee at Columbia J-School varies based on the course & specialisation students decide to pursue. The cost of a MS programme lies in the range of INR 28.63 L-1.05 Cr.
Students must also plan for certain living costs they will incur in NYC such as food, rent, utilities, travel, other personal expenses among others.
Columbia Journalism School Courses and Fees
Columbia Journalism School is known to offer a range of degree programs to students focused on a range of sectors including: Politics, Business, Audio, Investigative, Arts & Culture, Science, Data, Documentary, & more.
However, its most prominent programs are its MS & MA degrees that are available to be pursued in both full-time & part-time formats.
Listed below are some of the most prominent MS programs offered by the institute:
- MS in Data Journalism
- MS in Stabile Investigative Specialization
- MS in Documentary
- Part-time MS program
The school’s Master of Arts programs are also very popular among both domestic & international students, listed below are some of the prominent ones:
- MA in Arts & Culture
- MA in Business & Economics
- MA in Politics
- MA in Science
And last but not the least, for students looking to puruse doctoral studies, a doctoral program specialised in Communication is also offered by the J-School.
Columbia Journalism School Fees
Tuition fee at Columbia J-School varies based on the course & specialisation being opted by the students.
The general tuition fee of a MS program typically lies in the range of INR 28.63 L-1.05 Cr, while that of a MA program lies in the range of INR 19.88 L-73.28 L.
Students must also account for the cost of living in New York City, which is among the costlier cities in the United States. Costs such as rent, insurance, transportation, shopping & other miscellaneous expenses must be taken into consideration while planning to move to NYC.
Given below is a breakdown of the overall costs MS students may incur in New York:
|
Fee Component |
Cost |
|---|---|
|
Tuition |
INR 28.63 L-1.05 Cr. |
|
Hostel |
INR 15.9 L-21.02 L |
|
Insurance |
INR 3.2 L-4.31 L |
|
Transportation |
INR 99.44 K-1.15 L |
|
Other Expenses |
INR 7.39 K-10.77 L |
|
Total Fee |
INR 48.8 L – 1.43 Cr |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.A.(3 courses) | INR 49 L - 66 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, IELTS: 7 - 7.5, Duolingo |
Others PG(5 courses) | INR 49 L - 1 CrGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-2 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 - 114, PTE, IELTS: 7.5 - 8, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Columbia is among the costliest institutions in the US to pursue studies from. Tuition fees can be very high depending on the specialisation students decide to pursue. The MS programme tuition fee can go as high as INR 1 Cr.
Apart from this NYC is one of the most expensive locations in the US to live, with estimated cost of accommodation around INR 40 L for students living in university owned apartments.
The tuition fee of a MA programme varies based on the specialisation students decide to pursue. The minimum cost of an MA programme at CJS is around INR 19.88 L & it can go as high as INR73.28 L.
Add to this the expenses that come with living in NYC & the result is an expensive financial package.
Columbia University Mass Communication & MediaPopular Courses
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Columbia University Mass Communication & MediaPopular Programs
Columbia Journalism School Rankings
The J-school ranks highly as part of the latest course based rankings of numerous prominent ranking platforms including Shiksha.
As part of Shiksha’s latest popularity rankings, the J-school ranks #10 for its Mass Communication programs, & #9 for its Arts based studies & is given an overall rank of #10, placing it among the top 10 instituions in the United States. Thus cementing its status as one of the most highly reputable institutions in the country.
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Columbia is considered one of the best institutions in the US for higher studies down to its student-centric approach, emphasis on practical implementation of concepts, proven employment record & experienced faculty.
It is ranked highly by numerous university ranking platforms, given below is a description of the same:
· #9 for Arts
· #10 for Mass Communication programs
· #10 overall university rank in the US
Yes, Columbia Journalism School falls under the umbrella of the Columbia University which is part of the Ivy League.
The Ivy League institutions are known for their quality standard of education & providing students access to industry standard resources as well as networking opportunities with prominent names in the industry.
Both Columbia & Harvard are considered among the best higher educational institutions & are very selective at admitting students.
Columbia has an acceptance rate of 3.85% which is marginally better than Harvard's 3.4%. Both institutions are almost similar at admissions & only accept highly qualified individuals.
Columbia Journalism School Admission Dates 2025
Admission to Columbia Journalism School is now open for graduate and dual degree courses. The classes for these courses will begin in August and September 2026. Applicants willing to take admission to CJS in 2026 academic session can follow the admission deadlines given below:
|
Notification Plan |
Admission Deadline |
Classes Begin In |
|---|---|---|
|
Master of Science |
Dec 15, 2025 |
Aug 2026 |
|
MS in Data Journalism |
Dec 15, 2025 |
Aug 2026 |
|
PhD |
Dec 15, 2025 |
Sept 2026 |
|
Master of Arts |
Jan, 2026 |
Sept 2026 |
|
Dual Degree Programs |
Dec 15, 2025 |
Aug 2026 |
Columbia Journalism School Admission Requirements 2025
Students looking to pursue higher studies in journalism from Columbia J-School must fulfil the institute’s admission requirements. This includes submission of admission related documents as well as satisfying entrance exams scores & submitting respective applications on time.
Given below is a description of the general admission requirements students must fulfil:
- Past academic transcripts (in English)
- Completion of the J-school’s writing test
- Submission of 2-3 essays based on the topics as provided by the J-school
- Minimum 3 letters of recommendation
- A resume with all honors or past award related information
- Valid GRE scores (only for PhD students)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Proof of valid passport & student visa
Given below are the language test scores students must satisfy:
|
Test |
Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
|
IELTS |
8.0 |
|
TOEFL-iBT |
114 |
|
TOEFL-Paper based |
650 |
Admission process for International Students
Given below is a step-by-step guide for students looking to secure admissions at CJS:
- Visit Columbia’s common application portal
- Create your account
- Choose your school & course to which you wish to apply
- Provide all mandatory documents as asked on the application portal
- Submit valid GRE scores (optional) to boost your application
- Pay the standard application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the application
- Wait for an official response to arrive
- On arrival, accept the offer letter
- Start planning for moving to NYC
Commonly asked questions On Admission Requirements
Yes, IELTS score is a mandatory requirement for students interested in admissions at Columbia J-School.
It only accepts students with a great grasp of both written & verbal English, the minimum IELTS score accepted by the institute is 8.0.
Admissions to graduate degree programs at Columbia J-School are now closed for the year 2025.
However, students interested in 2026 admissions at the journalism school can refer the tentative deadlines listed below:
Notification Plan | Admission Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|
Master of Science | Dec 2025 |
PhD | Dec 2025 |
Master of Arts | Jan 2026 |
Dual Degree Programs | Jan 2026 |
Columbia Journalism School Placements
The Columbia Journalism School maintains a reputation for being one of the best employing journalism institutions in the US.
As per the latest employment data made available by the J-school (2024), of the 260 members that form part of its Class of 2024, 205 students had post-graduate plans lined-up in the form of internships & fellowships, part-time & full-time jobs, freelancing, or continuing in current jobs or looking for higher studies. This gives the J-school an employment or post-study rate of 79%.
The J-school’s graduates are very much in demand to some of the top media & news reporting agencies around the world.
The Class of 2024’s students received job offers from all over the US & abroad including: Hawaii, Maine, South America, Europe & across Asia.
Mentioned below are some of its top recruiters:
- AARP Magazine/Bulletin
- ABC News
- American Lawyer Media (ALM)
- Americas Society/Council of the Americas
- BBC News
- Bloomberg
- The New York Times
Every year, a select number of J-school’s graduates are offered exclusive, paid fellowships & internship opportunities at some of the best agencies & media houses in the US:
- Columbia Journalism Review
- AARP Magazine/Bulletin
- ABC News
- BBC News
- Reuters
- Financial Times
CJS graduates are working in key roles at different levels of numerous prominent media agencies across the globe, but are not limited to this sector alone.
Mentioned below is a detailed breakdown of the prominent sectors CJS graduates are currently employed at:
|
Sector |
Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Media & Communication |
50.76% |
|
Business & Development |
14.03% |
|
Arts & Design |
7.99% |
|
Education |
7.95% |
|
Marketing |
4.24% |
Commonly asked questions On Placements
CJS graduates are not limited to journalism streams alone & are employed in key roles in other industrial sectors as well, including: Business Development, Education, Marketing & more.
Several top news agencies based in the US & across the globe hire graduates from the J-School.
Some of the institution's top recruiters include: AARP Magazine/Bulletin, ABC News, BBC News, Bloomberg & The New York Times among others.
According to the latest employment data, the employment and post-study plans rate at Columbia Journalism School is around 79%.
In the graduate class of 2024, out of the 260 members, 205 students have either secured employment or have plans to pursue internships, freelancing, higher studies, etc.
Columbia vs Harvard vs Stanford: Which is better?
Columbia, Harvard University & Stanford University are all considered part of the best instituions in the US.
While Columbia & Harvard are both part of the illustrious Ivy League institutions, Stanford is not.
Despite that its quality of education & infrastructure facilities are second to none & students are exposed to pretty much a similar level of education.
While there is not much to separate these institutions, there does exists some differences that students can take into account before applying to either of these schools.
Mentioned below is a detailed comparison of the schools based on certain key parameters:
|
Criteria |
Columbia Journalism School |
Harvard |
Stanford |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Pulitzer Hall, 2950 Broadway, New York |
Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA |
Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, California |
|
Acceptance Rate |
3.85% |
3.4% |
3.91% |
|
Top Companies Hiring |
CNN, BBC, ABC, AARP
|
HBO, Citi, IBM, L’Oreal
|
Meta, Facebook, VISA |
|
Tuition Fee (MS) |
INR 28.63 L-1.05 Cr |
INR 18.49 L-66.48 L |
INR 29.6-1.2 Cr |
|
Shiksha Ranking |
#10 |
#4 |
#2 |
Since these instituions form part of the best instituions in the US, it comes as no surprise that the acceptance rates are remarkably low. Interested candidates must perform extremely well in respective academics & do well in other extra-curricular activities as well to have a solid resume that catches the eye of these school’s faculty.
Despite not being a member of the Ivy League, Stanford still ranks above both Harvard & Columbia as part of Shiksha’s latest popularity rankings.
Columbia Journalism School Campus Life
Based in the Pulitzer Hall of the Morningside Heights campus of the Columbia University, CJS is more than just an educational institution. The campus provides an inclusive, collaborative & enriching learning environment where everyone feels valued & right at home.
The J-school houses a diverse international student body with individuals from across the globe arriving to pursue journalism studies at CJS.
It is directly involved with major international journalism organizations & provides numerous opportunities to interact with key industry leaders in the form of conferences, workshops, & weekly events that take place regularly over the duration of the academic year.
The school’s student clubs & societies present a great opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with their peers. The school is located in the heart of New York City & is well-connected with the rest of the city thanks to NYC’s subways & taxis. Most days are capped off with dinner at some of the city’s best restaurants.
For Housing, both on-campus & off-campus accommodations are available:
- On-Campus: On-campus housing is available as part of the university’s residential housing facilities at the Morningside Heights campus. The J-school receives an allotment of 75 beds to house around 250 journalism students who apply for housing. Accommodation is available in the form of apartments, studio rooms & 1 or 2 bedrooms. All essential facilities needed to maintain a decent lifestyle are provided to students as part of on-campus housing.
- Off-Campus: CJS maintains a dedicated off-campus house listing platform which includes available rooms & apartments in the non-Columbia owned buildings along with some units in Columbia-managed properties. Prospective room-mates can also post their profiles on the site & look for people who are seeking a room-mate.
Commonly asked questions On Campus Life
New York is among the costlier cities in the US to live & study in. The rise in prices is down to the world class infrastructure & resources available to residents & it being home to a number of top organizations. The estimated cost of attendance for international students residing in student apartments is INR 40-50 L.
The J-School does not maintain off-campus accommodation, however, it does maintain a dedicated off-campus house listing website offering accommodation to students at non-Columbia owned residential properties.
USA is considered a land of opportunities & there are only a few other US cities that offer opportunities to students than New York.
Given below are some of the key benefits of living in New York:
· Better Job Opportunities
· Top-Notch Universities
· Public transportation
· World Class Dining Facilities
· Better access to Nature
Columbia Journalism School Notable Alumni
Columbia has a reputation of creating individuals who go on to make a name for themselves by putting their knowledge & respective talents to great use.
CJS has given many notable news anchors & journalists who have gone on to work at some of the most prominent news agencies in the US & across the globe such as ABC, CNN, CNBC, BBC & more.
Given below are some notable individuals to have studied at Columbia J-School:
- Steve Kroft: Retired American Journalist
- Suzanne Malveaux: Journalist at CNN (formerly at NBC)
- Catherine Herridge: Senior Investigative Correspondent, CBS News
- Kate Bohner: Correspondent at CNBC
- Aaron Chimbel: Journalism Educator at Texas Christian University
|
Alumni Name |
Alumni Profession |
Alumni |
|---|---|---|
|
Steve Kroft |
Retired American Journalist |
|
|
Suzanne Malveaux |
Journalist, CNN |
|
|
Catherine Herridge |
Senior Investigative Correspondent, CBS News
|
|
|
Kate Bohner |
Correspondent, CNBC |
|
|
Aaron Chimbel |
Journalism Educator, Texas Christian University
|
|
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
The institute is home to a number of notable media personalities & workers who have worked at some of the most prominent news agencies in the US & across the globe.
Given below are some of the J-school's most notable individuals:
· Carolyn Gusoff: Long Island Reporter at WCBS-TV
· Josh Elliott: Television Journalist
· Marysol Castro: Public Address Announcer for New York Mets
· Pat Buchanan: Journalist & Author
Indian television journalist & author Barkha Dutt is the most famous Indian to have pursued their studies from CJS.
Barkha has worked for prominent Indian news agencies such as NDTV & Tiranga TV. She currently runs her own digital news channel called 'MoJo Story'.
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
India had around 1,241 students at Columbia, by Fall 2024, the second the largest international community of students, behind only China (6,463). Of these, around 72 were enrolled in UG, 1,153 in graduate, and 16 in non-degree courses at Columbia Uni.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The GRE is optional for doing an MS at Columbia University, but international students are required to meet certain admission requirements.
You should have a UG degree with English language requirements like IELTS or TOEFL.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
As an Indian student, 3.0 is generally considered the bare minimum if you want to study at Columbia Uni. For Engineering, a minimum 3.3 in your past academics is needed. Make sure to maintain a good profile non-academically as well.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
STEM, Business, Law and Medicine are the standout options. An idea of the best courses at Columbia Uni can also be taken from the rankings given by Shiksha to its courses, on a national level:
| Course | Rank in the US |
|---|---|
| MArch | #4 |
| MIM | #5 |
| MBA or PGDM | #5 |
| LLM | #6 |
| MA | #6 |
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Not if you go by their overall university rankings. While both rank in and around the top 10 universities in the country, Harvard (#2) ranks well ahead of Columbia (#10), in national level rankings, given by Shiksha.
Though Harvard offers more course options, and overall brand recognition, Columbia
A
Contributor-Level 10
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Columbia UniversityLocation
| University City | New York, New York, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 86,22,697 |
Columbia UniversityContact Information
116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, United States
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