4 Videos,
Last updated on 28 Nov '25Columbia UniversityWhat's new?
- Admissions are now open for the 2026 session at Columbia.
- For UG courses, the upcoming deadline is Jan 01, 2026
- For PG courses, the application deadline is Jan 15, 2026
About Columbia University
Established in 1754, Columbia University is one of the eight private Ivy League Universities in the US. It is known for offering a blend of quality STEM courses, world-class research facilities, and exposure to one of the best academic environments in the world. Emphasis is given on finding solutions to complex problems in areas like AI, Data Science, Environmental Science, and Health, via research.
For that, Columbia maintains its own research facilities like the Irving Medical Center and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Other popular partnerships include those with General Motors and Tesla to build chassis and engines for the Formula Racing Team.
It should come as no surprise that getting admission to Columbia is not easy. As per the latest student enrollment data, the Columbia University acceptance rate stood at 4.94% for the Class of 2029.
The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and houses around 21 schools and colleges. Having educated more than 100 Nobel Laureates over its nearly 250-year-old history, the institute is recognized by many as one of the best universities in the world.
Columbia University Information
|
Fact |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Location |
116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, United States |
|
Student to Faculty Ratio |
6:1 |
|
Endowment |
USD 15.9 Billion (2025) |
|
Columbia University Average SAT |
1520-1560 (Class of 2028) |
|
Columbia University Average ACT |
34-36 (Class of 2028) |
|
Total Students |
35,769 (Fall 2024) |
|
Total International Students |
1,241 (Fall 2024) |
|
Newspaper |
Columbia Daily Spectator |
|
Notable Alumni |
BR Ambedkar, Barack Obama, Warren Buffett, and Franklin Roosevelt |
|
Sporting Affiliation |
NCAA Division I |
History
The university began its operations in on the orders of Great Britain's King George II. Its first-ever class took place in a schoolhouse near the Trinity Church. 1767 saw the opening of the first medical school under Samuel Bard. The medical school merged with the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1813. In 1858, the Columbia Law School was founded, as was the School of Nursing in 1892, and the Teachers College in 1893.
Today, Columbia stands as one of the finest private universities in the US, housing 16 schools, one Columbia College, and four other affiliate schools under its umbrella.
Confused between On-Campus or Off-Campus Housing at Columbia, and how to apply?
All your Columbia Housing queries have been answered here: How to Navigate Housing at Columbia University?
Check out the videos below to know more about studies in the US:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
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.
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.
Columbia University Ranking 2026
Columbia has consistently maintained its position among the top 10 universities in the US for several years now. This remains the case for 2026 as well. Columbia University Ranking is #10 in the US and #17 in the world, as part of the latest edition of the Shiksha Popularity Rankings.
By Other Ranking Bodies
US News ranks it #13 in the US, while the Columbia University QS Ranking is #38 in the world for 2026. US News is yet to release the Columbia University World Ranking for 2026, which stood at #10 for 2025. Times Higher Education also ranked it #18 among global universities for 2025.
#19
#11
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
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.
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
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.
Columbia University Courses
Students can choose from a lot of courses at Columbia University, with more than 100 degree program options. The Columbia University Courses are split across the undergraduate and graduate levels of study, with more than 80 options to choose from as part of Columbia University Undergraduate Courses, while the Columbia University Graduate Courses include 132 course options to choose.
Columbia University Popular Programs
While students can choose from a big pool of courses, some are popular among them than others. These include Biology, Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, Business Administration, Economics, and Electrical Engineering.
Columbia University Online Courses
Columbia offers several professional certificates, MicroMasters, and XSeries programs, in online formats, to allow students to upskill across a wide variety of subjects that include Financial Engineering, Public Health, Applied Machine Learning, and Digital Marketing, among others.
Confused between Data Analytics and Business Analytics, and which one is better for you? Then check out the video below to get the answers to all your questions:
4.6(1)9 months - 24 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
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.
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.
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 |
Columbia University Admission 2026
As an Indian student, you can apply to Columbia University by submitting either the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge application. You would have to submit certain personal and academic documents along with the application for the relevant authorities to verify your credentials. As part of the Columbia University Admissions, you would have to pay the Columbia University application fee of around USD 85 (INR 7.5 K) for admission to UG courses, and somewhere between USD 120 and USD 150 (INR 10.6 K and INR 13.3 K) if you're applying to a PG course.
Columbia University Application Deadline 2026
The upcoming deadlines at Columbia are mentioned below:
| Application Type | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Regular Decision - UG | Jan 01, 2026 |
| Priority Decision - PG | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Regular Decision - PG | Feb 15, 2026 |
*Some programs may have different deadlines than the ones mentioned above. You're advised to check the deadline for each program via the course page.
Columbia University Eligibility for Indian Students
- Completed Columbia University application
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Prove Verbal and Written English Proficiency
- Personal Essay
- Letters of Recommendation
- A valid passport with passport-sized photos
- USA Student Visa
Columbia University Undergraduate Requirements
Apart from the general requirements above, you'd also have to submit a Class 12th completion certificate and valid scores in either the ACT or the SAT exam. Other than that, you may have to submit a School Profile and any other certifications or achievements of yours, either academic or non-academic.
Columbia University Graduate Requirements
For PG courses, you'd have to submit a Bachelor's degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Some courses, like the Columbia University MBA, may also ask you to submit valid scores in either the GRE or the GMAT exam. You should maintain a very good non-academic profile to improve your admission chances.
- Application fees :USD 78.1 - 250
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Needed for few courses |
| LOR | Needed for few courses |
| Essays | Needed for few courses |
| CV | Needed for few courses |
| Additional documents | Required |
Columbia UniversityColumbia University Scholarships
In an effort to make quality education affordable, Columbia University Scholarships for Indian Students cover the entire cost of studies and living in New York.
As per the latest statistics published by the University on its platform, Columbia has so far offered USD 228 million in financial aid, including USD 19 million to International Students.
The average financial package offered to incoming first-year students is worth USD 76,265 (INR 66.8 L).
| Scholarship Type | Name | Amount | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit based | INR 25.6 L | Master's | |
| Need based | INR 42.64 L | Master's |
Scholarship Requirements
- CSS Profile
- The latest Income Tax form, filed by parents or students themselves
- A Business or Farm Supplement form for applicants who own a business or farm
- Outside Scholarship and External Payment Form
How to get a Scholarship at Columbia University?
- Register on the Columbia University Student Financial Services Portal
- Submit the CSS profile
- Provide past academic transcripts, essays, LOR, and a financial need assessment
- Submit any additional documents such as tax returns, income proof, personal statements, etc.
- Submit the scholarship application on time
- Keep track of application status
To know more about scholarships in the US, check out the video below:
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
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.
18 monthsColumbia UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
2 Verified Reviews- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
(1) 1 person found this helpfulColumbia University Placement
Graduates of Columbia University are in very high demand in the US and across the globe. The university offers a great Return on Investment, with the opportunity to take on key roles after studies at some of the best global organizations.
Columbia University Placement Rate
Per the latest data made public by the university, the placement rate stood at 89% for MBA graduates of the Class of 2024, 3 months after completion of studies, with graduates securing high-paying jobs.
Columbia University Average Package
The average salary figures offered to MBA graduates as part of the Columbia University placements are given below:
| Compensation Type | Receiving | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | 100% | USD 175,000 (INR 1.5 Cr) |
| Signing Bonus | 71.3% | USD 30,000 (INR 25.8 L) |
| Other Guaranteed Compensation | 12.3% | USD 21,185 (INR 18.23 L) |
ROI After Education at Columbia University USA
|
Course |
Annual Fee |
Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
MBA |
INR 78.6 L |
Median Base Salary: USD 175,000 (INR 1.5 Cr) |
|
Median Signing Bonus: USD 30,000 (INR 25.8 L) |
Want to know about some side-hustles that can make you INR 1 L a month? Then check out the video below:
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The Columbia University the highest base package is around USD 370,000 (INR 3.18 Cr.) earned by a MBA grad employed in Consulting.
Another graduate, employed in Private Equity, secured a packagae worth USD 350,000 (INR 3.01 Cr).
Students get a median salary of around USD 188,000 (INR 1.61 Cr) in the Consulting industry.
Columbia University Cost
Studies at Columbia do not come cheaply. The tuition fees for UG courses range between INR 51.4 L-INR 59.05 L, while the same for PG courses range between INR 20.2 L-INR 1.23 Cr.
An MBA at Columbia costs around USD 91,172 (INR 78.6 L). Apart from the Columbia University Fees, students should also take into account the costs associated with living in NYC.
Cost of Living in New York
The average cost of living is around USD 22,247 (INR 19.2 L). Given below is a detailed breakdown:
|
Particular |
Cost in USD |
Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
|
New Student Fee |
USD 675 |
INR 58.2 K |
|
Rent & Food |
USD 17,580 |
INR 15.15 L |
|
Other Costs |
USD 3,992 |
INR 3.45 L |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(75 courses) | INR 29 L - 94 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-24 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 99 - 114, PTE: 68 & Above, Duolingo: 130 - 134, GRE, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(19 courses) | INR 47 L - 83 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-2 years Exam Accepted: PTE: 68 & Above, TOEFL: 99 - 114, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, Duolingo: 130 & Above, GRE, GMAT |
M.A.(137 courses) | INR 21 L - 68 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-24 years Exam Accepted: PTE, TOEFL: 100 - 114, Duolingo: 130 & Above, GRE, IELTS: 7 - 8, GMAT |
B.E. / B.Tech(14 courses) | INR 53 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 - 7.5, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, TOEFL: 100 - 105 |
BBA(7 courses) | INR 61 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 - 7.5, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, TOEFL: 105 & Above |
B.A.(55 courses) | INR 60 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 - 105 |
LL.M.(2 courses) | INR 76 L - 77 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 6 months-1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 8 & Above, TOEFL: 105 & Above, PTE |
B.Sc.(20 courses) | INR 60 L - 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 - 7.5, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, TOEFL: 105 & Above |
Others PG(28 courses) | INR 29 L - 1 CrGet Fee Details | Duration: 9 months-2 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 - 114, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, IELTS: 7.5 - 8, GMAT |
MPH(6 courses) | INR 24 L - 56 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-30 months Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 135 & Above, GRE, GMAT, IELTS: 7.5 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
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.
Columbia UniversityStudent profile
Others
58%
Asian
18%
Hispanic
15%
Black
7%
Out of state
63%
In state
19%
Foreign
16%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
Columbia University Notable Alumni
Politicians, Scientists, Athletes, Actors, Writers, Businessmen, Engineers, the list is long when we talk about the alumni network of Columbia. Famous names like B R Ambedkar (Former Minister of Law and Justice of India), Barack Obama (Former US President) and Alexander Hamilton (one of the founding fathers of the USA) have all studied at Columbia. The below table lists globally known names who are part of the Columbia University Notable Alumni community-
|
Name |
Profession |
Alumni |
|---|---|---|
|
B.R. Ambedkar |
|
|
|
Barack Obama |
|
 |
|
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|
|
 |
|
|
Sara Ali Khan |
|
 |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
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.
College comparison
Compare Columbia University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 29.2 L - 93.67 L | #15 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 46.02 L - 55.37 L | #1 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 38.39 L - 75.28 L | #4 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 28.14 L - 84.28 L | #31 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 19 L - 80.67 L | #7 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 28.17 L - 37.29 L | #879 US News, 2023 |
CompareColumbia UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Columbia University Campus
The university maintains a very strong presence in New York in the form of Columbia University Campuses, located at Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Student Life at Columbia can be described as diverse, one that comes with rigorous academics and no shortage of extracurricular opportunities.
Campus Location
Columbia has three campuses; however, the main campus is the one at Morningside Heights, which is spread over 32 acres of land and houses more than 40,000 students, 100 research facilities, 3 affiliate libraries, and world-class athletics and recreation facilities.
Campus Life
- Campus Life at Columbia is as good as it gets anywhere in the world. The university is home to the largest athletics program in NYC and the NCAA Division I. Students can choose from a variety of sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf & Swimming.
- Athletics at Columbia has seen around 46 individuals represent their countries as part of the Olympics after graduating from the University.
- For those interested in academics, the university is an R1 Research Institution and offers several world-class facilities, including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
- Researchers at the University are credited with more than 175 new inventions every year on average, and also made Columbia the first site in North America where the Uranium Atom was Split
- As far as housing goes, the university offers a range of room formats on campus, including shared apartments, studio rooms, private apartments, as well as designated accommodation facilities for respective schools. Students can apply via the official housing portal of Columbia
- For dining, several dining halls, food trucks & cafés are spread across the campus, which serve Indian, American, Chinese & Thai food.
Wanna know what life is like as a student in New York City? What to Pack? Best Neighborhoods? Affordable places for Daily Essentials in NYC? The Answers to all your problems can be found below:
Studying at Columbia University: What It's Like to Live in New York City?
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
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.
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.
Founded as a King's College for males, Columbia University was established by a royal charter issued by Great Britain’s King George II in 1754. Due to the American Revolution the university had to go through am eight-year long hiatus period. Once resumed, in 1784 the institution was renamed Columbia College as a form of patriotic reference to explorer Christopher Columbus. Columbia University acquired its now known name 112 years post this incident.
Columbia University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
LLB from Chandigarh University is an amazing option. The environment and faculty are also best. The department has modern classrooms, a special law library, a big auditorium, and two moot courts for real practice. One of the most unique things about the department is the Pro Bono Club, which is supp
M
Beginner-Level 3
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 2 months ago
After graduating from CU's Fashion Design program, student can explore media and blogging careers as part of the Fashion industry.Skills in styling, trend analysis, photography, and digital design allow graduates to manage fashion page, contribute to online magazines, or even work as freelance blogg
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 months ago
It is possible to publish research papers while pursuing a B.Design in Fashion at Chandigarh University. Research opportunities exist in areas such as sustainable fabrics, textile innovation, fashion technology, traditional crafts, and design processes, despite the fact that fashion is a creative fi
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 months ago
The architecture institute at Chandigarh University hosts both annual and seasonal events. Students participate in exhibitions that showcase their creative work, 3D model challenges, and design trophies. In addition, workshops and expert lectures are occasionally scheduled to give students a better
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Columbia University
Campus
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Columbia UniversityLocation
| University City | New York, New York, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 86,22,697 |
Columbia UniversityCampuses
116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Visit official siteColumbia UniversityContact Information
116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, United States
New York
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