Columbia University
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Columbia University: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#19 in World

#11 in USA

Rupee Coin Icon1292 Scholarships for studying in USA
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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 9 Feb '26

Columbia University
What's new?

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  • Admissions are now open for the 2026 session at Columbia.
  • For UG - School of General Studies courses, the priority application deadline is Mar 1, 2026

About Columbia University

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Year of establishment
1754
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
10785
No. of campus
1
Scholarships available
2
Endowment value
USD 1 billion
Scholarships granted
5002
Scholarship amount granted
USD 248 million
Application fees
USD 85
English proficiency test
Optional
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Optional
Total faculty
7141
Faculty/Student ratio
6
Total criminal offences
247
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   Which is harder to get into Harvard or Columbia?
A: 

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.

Q:   What GPA do I need to get into Columbia?
A: 

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. 

Q:   What are the fees of Columbia University in Indian rupees?
A: 

While the cost of studies at Columbia University, tends to vary, for different courses, the average tuition cost ranges between INR 51.5 L-INR 59.2 L for UG courses and INR 20.3 L-INR 1.23 Cr for PG courses, for the entire course duration.

Students, also need to take into the cost of living in New York, which is around USD 93,147 or INR 81.55 L for one academic year at Columbia (9 months). 

Q:   What are the benefits of going to Columbia University?
A: 

There are several advantages associated with studying at Columbia University, apart from the fact that it is considered part of the most prestigious institutions in the US. 

Mentioned below are some of the pros of pursuing studies from Columbia:

  • Diverse & Welcoming student community
  • Strong Alumni Network
  • Access to World Class Research Facilities
  • Vibrant Campus Culture 
  • Extensive Global Courses
  • Better Research Opportunities  

Columbia University Ranking 2026

#19

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#11

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Is Columbia better than Harvard?
A: 

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.

Q:   How to get into Columbia University from India after 12th?
A: 

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. 
Q:   Can I transfer to Columbia university from another?
A: 

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

Columbia University Admission 2026

  • Application fees :USD 80.4 - 250
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNeeded for few courses
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
How to Write Columbia MBA Essays in 2024?
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   Which is harder to get into Columbia or NYU?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many students attend the Columbia University?
A: 

Per an official media release, the Columbia University student population, for the Class of 2029, stands at 2,946 students. The university received a total of 59,616 applications, for admissions to its courses, however, the only the above mentioned number of students secured a seat at the institute. 







Columbia University
Columbia University Scholarships

2No. of scholarships available
66.9 LTotal scholarship amount
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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships
Q:   Is there a different application for scholarships for international students at Columbia University?
A: 

Columbia University does not discriminate between domestic and international students. At the university, scholarship application process is the same for all students, regardless of their citizenship or country of residence. International students are advised to check the application instruction for more information on the procedure and requirements for scholarships.

Q:   Can I get a 100% Scholarship at Columbia University?
A: 

Yes, as an Indian student, if your family's annual income is less than USD 6,000 (INR 5.4 L), you can get a 100% Scholarship at Columbia. Your parents don't need to contribute anything towards your cost of attendance. More information can be found on the scholarships page.

1 USD = INR 89.86

Q:   Does Columbia University give athletic scholarships?
A: 

Yes, Columbia University is known to offer athletic scholarships for a number of sports including American Football.

The scholarships are given on the basis of need & overall performance of a student & are available for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA & NJCAA.

As per data curated from unofficial sources, 34% athletes at the university are awarded scholarships.

Q:   Are international students allowed to apply at Early Decision for scholarships at Columbia University?
A: 

Yes, just like a domestic student international students can apply for Early Decision for scholarship at Columbia University. However, some international students may fall out of the ‘need-blind’ scholarship category despite of excellent academic record. In such cases, those students will be deferred to Regular Decisions so that Committee on Admissions may review the entire global applicant pool.

Columbia University Popular Courses

MS
MBA/PGDM
M.A.
B.A.
More

₹58.76 LGet Fee Details

₹58.48 LGet Fee Details

₹67.1 LGet Fee Details

₹67.1 LGet Fee Details

₹82.68 LGet Fee Details

View AllMS Courses

Columbia University
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.8/5
Verified Icon2 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Academically oriented
Multi-dimensional
Friendly
Liberal
Internships3.5
Part time work3.5
Post study jobs4
Quality of faculty5
Student Life3.5
Value for money2.5
Public transportation5
Safety4
Indian Food3.5
Permanent Immigration3.5
N
Nithishma Allu Verified Icon
MS in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
4.6
Columbia University: Fostering Brilliance and Innovation
Tips: Networking is the key. Make as many connections as possible. New York is an amazing place to be and make the most of it. There is a Shardarshish scholarship which waves 50% tuition fees and also numerous graduate research assistant roles available if interested.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The diversity of faculty is amazing with most of them graduating from the top universities. Their knowledge on the subject is remarkable and they challenge you to be better and work harder. They let you engage in projects and conduct many office hours for discussions
Dislikes (Internships): The coursework and the brand value added because of Columbia University is great which lands you in a good internship but there are comparatively fewer career fairs than other universities. The career advisors are super helpful in guiding and suggesting changes to resumes and cover letters.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1500
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 150000
Reviewed on 11 Feb 2024Read more
Thumbs Up Icon(1) Thumbs Down Icon1 person found this helpful
A
Anonymous
MS in Data Science - Batch of 2026
3.6
Columbia is an expensive school, and the competition is very fierce.
Tips: Be mentally prepared before coming, the scholarships are rare, you need to be best at what you do. The competition is fierce, and things are not so dreamy anymore in the USA. But if you are good at it, you can make it. I am satisfied, hopefully I will get a job, and it will be easier for me.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Mostly, the faculty are adjunct faculty, giving a more practical experience. The faculty is diverse and well-rounded, and the way things are done here is different from in India. They are more concerned with practicality than with theoretical knowledge, so you need to study and prepare on your own.
Dislikes (Value for money): Columbia is an expensive school, and the competition is very fierce. Off-campus jobs don't pay well compared to the living costs. There are better private schools that offer scholarships you can attend. Brand value still matters in today's world, though.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2300
Prepping time for classes27 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 87000
Reviewed on 1 May 2025Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Computer Science Master's Degree - Vision, Graphics, Interaction and Robotics - Batch of 2026
3
Ivy League Tag does not work anymore.
Tips: No overwhelming cultural shift that I have experienced as of now. I didn't get any scholarship, they pay you nothing, no on campus jobs and even if you get any, you'll be paid peanuts. You basically take a crore rupees loan, study and work like a machine and still end up with no internship call, no certainty about jobs.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Excellent faculty, coursework, teaching and most importantly research. But don't expect to get paid for your research. They won't pay you. They'll ask you to take it for credit. All professors are great researchers and top in their domain but not all are good teachers.
Dislikes (Value for money): It's very expensive with zero or very few on campus jobs paying you peanuts. No proper career fair for internships. Uncertainty of jobs, constantly changing government regulations, disregarding all the effort and money we put to study here. Disregard for your skill and knowledge.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2125
Prepping time for classes50 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80575
Reviewed on 28 Sep 2025Read more
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Columbia University Job Outcomes

Top Recruiters

Merrill Lynch
IBM
Google
Bank of America
Motorola
Goldman Sachs
Exxon
Barclays Bank
Microsoft
Ernst & Young
Credit Suisse
AT&T
pwc
Boeing
Morgan Stanley
Ford Motors
Wells Fargo
General Motors
CITI Bank
Grant Thornton
Deutsche Bank
Procter Gamble
E&Y
Texas Instrument
Visit official career services website External Link Icon
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   What is the highest package of Columbia University?
A: 

The highest salary earned by graduates of the Columbia Uni USA is USD 450,000 (INR 4.1 Cr) in the Real Estate industry. This is three times the average salary package students got offered in the Real Estate industry. The average package for students in Real Estate was USD 150,000 (INR 1.34 Cr) for the MBA Class of 2025.

1 USD = INR 89.90

Q:   Which companies hire Columbia graduates?
A: 

FAANG companies, Consultancy firms, Law firms, and Finance giants hire MBA graduates from the Columbia B-School. Given below is a list of some popular names who hired graduates of the Class of 2025.

CompanyNumber of Graduates Hired
McKinsey & Company62
Boston Consulting Group62
Amazon21
PricewaterhouseCoopers24
Bain & Company33
Q:   Which are the best paying industries for MBA graduates of the Columbia Uni?
A: 

Consulting, Investment Management, Real Estate, Private Equity, and Investment Banking are the top 5 best paying industries for MBA graduates at Columbia Uni. Given below is the average salary offered by these industries to students.

Industry

the highest Salary offered in USD

the highest Salary offered in INR

Real Estate

USD 450,000

INR 4.1 Cr

Private Equity

USD 400,000

INR 3.6 Cr

Investment Management

USD 290,000

INR 2.6 Cr

Consulting

USD 250,000

INR 2.25 Cr

Investment Banking

USD 225,000

INR 2.02 Cr

1 USD = INR 89.90

Columbia University Cost for Indian Students

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(76 courses)
INR 30 L - 95 LGet Fee Details
Duration9 months-24 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 99 - 114, PTE: 68 & Above, Duolingo: 130 - 134, GRE, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, GMAT
MBA/PGDM(19 courses)
INR 48 L - 84 LGet Fee Details
Duration9 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 99 - 114, PTE: 68 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, Duolingo: 130 & Above, GRE, GMAT
M.A.(137 courses)
INR 21 L - 69 LGet Fee Details
Duration9 months-24 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 - 114, PTE, Duolingo: 130 & Above, GRE, IELTS: 7 - 8, GMAT
B.A.(55 courses)
INR 61 L - 63 LGet Fee Details
Duration4-5 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 - 105, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, IELTS: 7 - 7.5
B.Sc.(20 courses)
INR 61 L - 63 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 105 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above
BBA(7 courses)
INR 62 L - 63 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 105 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech(14 courses)
INR 54 L - 63 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 - 105, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above
LL.M.(2 courses)
INR 77 L - 78 LGet Fee Details
Duration6 months-1 year
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 8 & Above, TOEFL: 105 & Above, PTE
Others PG(28 courses)
INR 30 L - 1 CrGet Fee Details
Duration9 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL: 100 - 114, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, IELTS: 7.5 - 8, GMAT
M.Arch(6 courses)
INR 55 L - 95 LGet Fee Details
Duration16 months-4 years
Exam AcceptedTOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, IELTS, GRE
Read more
View Course Wise Fees ->
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   What is the cost of an MS in Computer Science at Columbia University?
A: 

The Columbia University MS in CS fees, for international students is around USD 64,800 or INR 56.75 L for the first year. The cost is the same for all graduate engineering programs with 12 points per semester, and tends to typically increase by 2-7% from second year onwards.

The overall Columbia University cost of attendance for international students, enrolled in graduate engineering courses, with 12 points or more per semester, is USD 103,304 or INR 90.5 L.

Q:   How much does it cost to pursue an AI Program at Columbia?
A: 

USD 3,666 (INR 3.3 L) per year or USD 22,000 (INR 19.76 L) overall, is what an AI Certificate Program would cost you at Columbia. You would also have to pay USD 105 (INR 9.4 K) as document fee and USD 500 (INR 44.9 K) as the enrollment deposit.

1 USD = INR 89.86







Columbia University
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

58%

Asian

18%

Hispanic

15%

Black

7%

UG Student residence

Out of state

63%

In state

19%

Foreign

16%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

60879
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

95

Columbia University Alumni

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Alumni
Q:   Which famous Marvel and DC director attended Columbia University?
A: 

James Gunn is among those to have attended Columbia. He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts, having pursued his UG studies at St. Louis University
Gunn has directed several hit comic book movies and shows which includes The Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy, Superman, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker

Q:   Is Columbia a good research university?
A: 

It is among a select group of R1 institutions in the US, which are known for their very high research activity.

The university's scientists are known for conducting hundreds of innovative tasks in Health sciences each year. Also a number of his medicines have also reached the market, with some notable ones including: Xalatan, Remixade, Reopro, Benefix, Latanoprost & Zolinza

College comparison

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Compare Columbia University with other similar colleges

MS
MBA/PGDM
M.A.
B.A.
B.Sc.
BBA
B.E. / B.Tech
LL.M.
Others PG
M.Arch
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 29.69 L - 95.27 L#15 US News, 2026
INR 28.64 L - 85.78 L#31 THE, 2026
INR 40.16 L - 79.23 L#4 US News, 2026
INR 46.81 L - 56.31 L#1 US News, 2026
INR 28.67 L - 37.93 L#879 US News, 2023
INR 18.77 L - 64.31 L#12 US News, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

Columbia University
Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
347.28M (2025)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
March
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston-18
New York210
Chicago17
Los Angeles1121
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Columbia University Campus

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Additional Details 1
Q:   Is Columbia University campus safe for Indian students?
A: 

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.
Q:   Is Morningside Heights a nice area?
A: 

Morningside Heights is considered among the safest neighbourhoods in New York City.

All Columbia owned buildings in the area are operated & managed by university employees & the institute takes extra measures to provide a safe & supportive residential environment for all members of the community.

Columbia's Department of Public Safety oversees all security & safety procedures, while the Morningside Area Alliance also provides security patrols. 

Evening & Night shuttles are available during evenings & nights throughout the neighbourhood to Columbia students over the academic year.

Q:   What is the significance of being a Division 1 athlete at Columbia University?
A: 

The significance of being a Division 1 athlete is it comes with better tuition benefits & a higher level of competition as compared to the lower divisions. The chances of D1 athletes becoming professional players is also much higher as a bigger number of scouts watch these games.

The lower division athletes, however, do have more flexibility when it comes to time & pursuing other extracurricular activities.

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Comments

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Columbia University

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 5 days ago

Between Lovely Professional University and Chandigarh University, LPU generally has stronger overall placement volume and a larger number of participating recruiters across CSE, IT, management, and other streams; while both universities attract major IT service companies and some product-based roles

...Read more

A

Ananya Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Yes, Columbia University offers 9 months-1 year MA programme to international students. Some popular programs are International Affair, Film and Media Studies, Political Science, Psychology in Education, and more. The tuition fees is between INR 21L and INR 69L.

J

Jiya Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

In the QS rankings for 2026, the University of British Columbia ranking is #40. For the MBA rankings, UBC ranking is #111-120 in 2026. In the Masters in Business Analytics rankings by QS subject rankings, UBC ranks at #32 in 2026. 

R

Rupali Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

In Times Higher Education ranking, UBC ranking is #45 in 2026. A few of the subject rankings in THE rankings are #52 for Arts and Humanities, #36 for Business and Economics, #31 for Medical and Health, #46 for Engineering in 2026. In the QS rankings, UBC is ranked at #40 in 2026. 

G

Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, for 2025, the Columbia Business School saw its MBA graduates accept full time positions with 346 organizations worldwide. Moreover,   more than 200 employers hired CBS MBAs for the first time. Of the 92% students who received a job offer, 90% accepted a job role within 3 months.

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Akansha katariya

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha katariya is a content creator at shiksha.com, creating content for study abroad. Having pursued B tech. in Electronics and communication from RGPV University, she has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding students, sh...Read Full Bio

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Columbia University
Location

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University CityNew York, New York, USA
Size of cityLarge
Population of City86,22,697

Columbia University
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
Morningside Heights CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027

Visit official site External Link Icon

Columbia University
Contact Information

Address

116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, United States

New York

Phone
212-854-4400

(For general query)

212-854-2522

(For admission query)

Email
registrar@columbia.edu

(For general query)

ugrad-ask@columbia.edu

(For admission query)

Go to College Website ->