

- Private University
Columbia Business School
MBA 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:
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 80,84,221 |
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 15,66,799 |
| Insurance | INR 4,39,360 |
MBA 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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Out of 10
- 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
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.
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
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)
MBA at Columbia University Application Process
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Columbia UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 67% students never faced discrimination in this university
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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