Columbia University

Columbia accepts around 4 applications for every 100 it receives. Its acceptance rate was 4.29% for the Class of 2029. NYU accepts twice the number of applications, at an 8% acceptance rate. You would have to work hard to get into either. However, at NYU you have a better chance.

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.

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 is considered by many as the better of the two for its Engineering courses, something Harvard is not known for.

Getting into Columbia can be hard but as an Indian student you can get in if you follow some basic steps of the Columbia University application process, take a look - 

• First things first, start by registering yourself on the application portal
• Then, you would have to put your personal details and a really good essay on why Columbia?  
• Now, upload all the required documents and pay the Columbia application fee 
• At the last, all you can do is wait for a decision from the uni. 

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. 

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.

Buckle up if you're an Indian student, as UG courses at Columbia Uni cost somewhere in the range of INR 51 L-INR 59 L. If you're interested in an Master's, then you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of INR 21 L-INR 1.23 Cr.

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.