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Columbia Business School
Talk to ExpertMBA at Columbia University Overview
Columbia University is one of the finest universities in USA. Columbia University provides MBA at PG level. The duration of this course is 2 years. This course attracts students from all over the world. To enrol in this course, international students must fulfil all the admission requirements. The admission requirement at the Columbia University include standardized tests like GRE, GMAT and TOEFL. The first year tuition fees Columbia University for MBA is USD 88,300. Moreover, the students must be ready for other expenses such as rent, hostel fees, food, books, supplies, utilities, etc. The average cost of living at Columbia University is USD 18,274.
Duration | 2 years Get Curriculum |
Tuition & Fees | ₹82.88 Lakh Get Fees details |
International Students Admission Website | Go to Website  |
Official Career Service Website | Go to Website |
Course Level | PG Degree |
MBA at Columbia University Fees
Students interested in pursuing a MBA from Columbia University must fulfil the associated monetary requirements that come with the course. The fee structure includes the payment of the first-year tuition fee. Students must also plan for some other costs they may incur associated with living in USA such as rent, food, medical, travel and other expenditures. The overall estimated cost of living students can expect to incure is around USD 18,274. The cost may vary as per the lifestyle being pursued by the students and some other fees that may be charged by Columbia University over the duration of studies. The first year tuition fee for MBA is around USD 88,300. For a more detailed fee breakdown regarding the MBA from Columbia University, refer the table given below:
1st year tuition fees | Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 82,87,535 |
Other expenses in 1st Year | Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 16,06,203 |
| Insurance | INR 4,50,410 |
Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 90.9 | Tuition & expenses were last updated on 30ᵗʰ August 2025MBA at Columbia University Curriculum
Full Time MBA program curriculum consists of 18 credits of required core coursework, and a minimum of 42 credits of elective courses. The core curriculum is designed to give students an in-depth mastery of academic disciplines and the practical tools to intersect business with a broad set of industries. Students generally register for 15 credits per term, full-time residence at the Business School
Full Time MBA program curriculum consists of 18 credits of required core coursework, and a minimum of 42 credits of elective courses. The core curriculum is designed to give students an in-depth mastery of academic disciplines and the practical tools to intersect business with a broad set of industries. Students generally register for 15 credits per term, full-time residence at the Business School is strictly defined as a minimum of 12 credits. Students are permitted to take up to 18 credits per term, and may graduate with more than 60 credits. Columbia offers more than 300 electives to allow students to immerse themselves in specialized topics with faculty members who are at the forefront of innovation in their fields. Some of the most innovative, in-demand electives are Analytics in action, Foundations of CV, Technology strategy, The economics and politics of digital disruption.
https://academics.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/academics/degree-requirements
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MBA at Columbia University Entry Requirements
- No specific cutoff mentioned
- No specific cutoff mentioned
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required for admission
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Out of 10
- N/A
- Applications from candidates with a three-year undergraduate degree are also accepted
- Those applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Calculate your score and check your eligibility at over 2000+ universities.
Out of 10
- No specific cutoff mentioned
- No specific cutoff mentioned
NA
- No specific cutoff mentioned
- No specific cutoff mentioned
NA
- International students are not required to submit a language test such as the TOEFL. Applicants' verbal scores on the GRE or the GMAT are sufficient. Applicants' interviews will also be conducted in English
- Interviews are by invitation only; applicants cannot request an interview. The Admissions Office will contact the applicant if he/she is selected for an interview
- Not mentioned
MBA at Columbia University Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia MBA graduates are paid very well for their contributions, with the average salary figure for Class of 2024 MBA graduates standing at USD 175,000 (INR 1.5 Cr), per data curated from official sources.
12.3% of the MBA graduates were also on the receiving end of additional guaranteed compensation worth USD 225,000 (INR 1.93 Cr).
Conversion rate: 1 USD = INR 86.06
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.
Yes, Columbia Business School provides scholarships. In fact, the CBS is well renowned for the having one of the largest scholarship funds. There is no need to apply for the scholarships separately, it is integrated in the CBS application process. Below mentioned are the scholarships provided to MBA students:
Scholarship Type | Criteria | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
Merit-Based Scholarships | Academic achievements, professional accomplishments, leadership potential | Tuition Coverage of 20% to 100% |
Need-Based Scholarships | Demonstrated financial need | Comprehensive financial support: tuition, fees, living expenses |
Diversity Scholarships | Support for underrepresented minorities, women, LGBTQ+, veterans | Enhance diversity in student body |
International Scholarships | Outstanding candidates from outside the US | Partial to full tuition, visa fees, relocation costs |
According to the FT rankings published recently in 2025, Columbia Business School ranks #2 among the best b-schools offering an MBA program. CBS is ranked 8th in the world for its MBA programs in the 2025 QS Global MBA rankings, with an overall score of 96.9 out of 100, based on factors like, placement rates, faculty, curriculum etc. Based on the rankings published by US World and News 2024, CBS ranks #12 out of the best 124 B-Schools in the world.
MBA at Columbia University Application Process
- First-time applicants require one recommendation. Reapplicants are required to submit one new recommendation
- The university asks the recommender to consider the following guidelines when writing their recommendation (recommended limit: 1000 words)
- How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples
- Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response
- Applicants must complete two short-answer questions and three essays:
- Short Answer Question
- What is the applicant's immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
- Why do applicants prefer the January-entry term? (50 characters maximum)
- Essay 1
- Through the applicant's resume and recommendation, the university has a clear sense of their professional path to date. What are the applicant's career goals over the next three to five years, and what is their long-term dream job? (500 words)
- Essay 2
- Please share a specific example of how applicants made a team more collaborative, more inclusive, or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization. (250 words)
- Essay 3
-
The university believes Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)
-
- Short Answer Question
- Applicants should upload their current professional resume or CV to the online application. Applicants' professional resume or CV should ideally be one page in length, but one-to-two pages is also acceptable
- Offical transcripts
- Applicants should report their grade point average as it appears on their transcript
- GMAT or GRE Scores
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Columbia offers a monthly payment plan to enable students to pay tuition and fees over several months, rather than in one payment
- The Payment Plan is available for the Fall term, Spring term, the annual academic year plan (Fall & Spring), or Summer term
- $50 annual enrollment fee and $30 enrollment fee per term (Fall, Spring and Summer terms) and $30 returned payment fee if a payment is returned
- Up to 5 Payment plans are available for a fall and Spring term
MBA at Columbia University Rankings
| Rank | Rank Publisher |
|---|---|
| #10 | |
| #2 | |
| #4 |
MBA at Columbia University Placements
| Particulars | Statistics (2025) |
|---|---|
| Internship Available | Yes, MBA students are provided with internship opportunities that helps them in gaining real-world experience (only for Fall term entry) |
MBA at Columbia University Students also asked
As an Indian student, it's not easy to get into either. Your chances of admission at admission stand at 4.94% at Columbia. If you think this is low, Harvard accepted its Class of 2028 at a rate of 3.6%. This means Harvard asks you to put in that extra effort.
Columbia University ask for a GPA of 4 or above from Indian students. Students should fulfill the basic qualification and submit all the documents like ACT or SAT scores, transcripts, English language requirements, and more to increase the chances.
Columbia University does not set any minimum eligible scores for international students who want to join the MS programs. But, it is needed for the students to make sure to score above 320 on the GRE and over 700 on GMAT for successful admission.
Also, students who scored nicely and performed well academically and were involved in relevant internships may get some sort of relief in standardized test scores.
With 4% acceptance rate, Columbia University offers tough admission to international students. To improve the chances of selection, students must take care of a few things that can also help to build a strong profile. Students can check the mandatory things below to improve their selection probability:
- Aim for high academic scores, including CGPA, GRE/GMAT, and English language proficiency, and more.
- Submit a well-written Statement of Purpose that includes all the goals and achievements.
- Ask professors to provide a letter of recommendation who know the students' abilities.
- Involved in leadership roles, gained relevant experience, international conference, and more to display the ability.
The SIPA recommends the GRE or GMAT, but it is not a mandatory requirement. GRE/GMAT score is a complementary requirement that students can opt to pursue in case they feel they do not have a strong list of quantitative courses/ work experience as the exam scores strengthen the application.
A score above 320 can significantly improve the chances of admission.
Columbia UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
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MBA at Columbia University Highlights
- This Full-Time MBA Program is designed to be completed as following schedule: August Entry: 20-month program (including summer internships) and January Entry: 16-month program (no summer internship)
- The curriculum consists of 18 credits of required core coursework, and a minimum of 42 credits of elective courses
- Students who exempt out of core courses replace them with electives to fulfill the MBA requirement of 60 credits of graduate-level courses taken in residence at the School in four terms of study
- Students may count a combined maximum of six credits of Independent Study, Cross-Cultural Seminar, and graduate-level courses from other Columbia schools toward the MBA degree
MBA at Columbia University Scholarships
Class Profile
| Average class profile for this course | |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | 5 years |
| Bachelors GPA / Percentage | 3.6 |
| GMAT Score Average | 729 |
| Student Age | 28 |
| Percentage of International Students | 51% |
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