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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 | ₹80.84 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 80,84,221 |
Other expenses in 1st Year | Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 15,66,799 |
| Insurance | INR 4,39,360 |
Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 88.67 | 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
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- No specific cutoff mentioned
NA
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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
MBA at Columbia University Frequently Asked Questions
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 |
Columbia Business School offers programs across diverse areas such as MBA, MBA Dual degree, EMBA, MS, Undergraduate etc. Unlike most B-Schools in the US, Columbia offers an accelerated MBA which can be completed in 16 months.
The entire students experience stays the same; the curriculum, the faculty, and same highly selective standards. The only difference is that these accelerated MBA students can only join in January (Spring), and these students don't have to do a Summer Internship, while the August entry students have to engage in Summer internships. This accelerated MBA is for those who do not wish to change their industry, entrepreneurs, and the students in family businesses.
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.
According to the employment report (2024) published by CBS, the the highest package after doing an MBA from Columbia Business School was offered in Consulting industry, which was a whopping average median salary of USD 190,000 (INR 1.60 Cr), followed by Healthcare industry which had an average median salary of USD 170,000 (INR 1.43 Cr).
Here is the table showing the top Industries where Columbia Business School MBA graduates were hired:
Columbia Business School MBA Graduates' Top Industries (Class 2023) | Average Median Salary of a CBS MBA graduate |
|---|---|
Consulting | USD 190,000 (INR 1.60 Cr) |
Technology | Not given |
Financial Services | USD 175,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) |
Real Estate | USD 145,000 (INR 1.22 Cr) |
Entertainment & Media | USD 130,000 (INR 1.09 Cr) |
Consumer Products | USD 120,000 (INR 1.01 Cr) |
Health Care | USD 170,000 (INR 1.43 Cr) |
(USD 1 = INR 86.81)
Ranked as the world's 8th best B-School by QS World 2025, the Columbia Business School MBA is hard to get into as the students from all around the world apply to this school. CBS received 7,847 applications for the class of 2024, out of which 972 applicants were rolled out an offer letter which makes up a CBS acceptance rate of 8.07%. The low acceptance rate suggests that this B-School is hard to get into, but it is not impossible. Below mentioned are the average scores and other relevant data of CBS MBA students:
CBS MBA Class 2024 profile | Data |
|---|---|
Average GMAT Score | 732 with a range of 600 to 780 |
Average GRE Quant Score | 162 with a range of 143 to 170 |
Average GRE Verbal Score | 162 with a range of 146 to 170 |
Average GPA | 3.6 on a scale of 4.0 |
Average Work Experience | 5 Years |
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
Yes, Columbia accepts more than 100 transfer students each year. For admission at Columbia as a transfer student, students would need to satisfy the eligibility criteria given below:
- Should have 24 points of credit at another institution or be registered to complete the same
- A high school diploma
- Must be enrolled at an institute where courses are offered by each term (quarters, semesters, etc.) AND a grade is given for each course, every term AND the institute can provide an English language transcript of the same
- Must secure the minimum score, in either of the following: TOEFL-iBT: 105, IELTS: 7.5, Duolingo English Test: 135, or Cambridge English: 191
Yes, the Columbia University campus is generally considered safe for all students, including Indians. The university operates a number of safety services that includes:
- Columbia University EMS, a dedicated ambulance service, always on duty, that provides medical assistance at no extra cost.
- Safety Escort Program: A Walking Escort program, that can be taken up at any time of the day and seven days a week around the university campus
- On-Demand Evening Shuttle: Operates seven days a week, every evening until 3 am around the Morningside and Manhattanville campus.
Columbia UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
2 Verified Reviews- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
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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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