Columbia University
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MS in Computer Science 

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#17 in Computer Science Engineering in USA

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  • Institute IconDepartment of Computer Science
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MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Overview

Duration

1.5 - 2 years
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Tuition & Fees

57.46 Lakh
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Course Level

PG Degree

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Fees

icon1st year tuition fees
Fees componentsAmount (for 1 year)
Tuition & feesINR 57,45,816
iconOther expenses in 1st Year
Fees componentsAmount (for 1 year)
Hostel & MealsINR 15,66,799
InsuranceINR 4,02,650
Info IconCalculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 88.67 | Tuition & expenses were last updated on 30ᵗʰ August 2025

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Curriculum

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MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Entry Requirements

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MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
 
Frequently Asked Questions

Q:   What is the fees of Columbia University in Indian Rupees?
A: 

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.

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

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:   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.

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Rankings

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
 
Students also asked

Q:   What are the top scholarships for Indian students at Columbia University and how to avail them?
A: 

Below is the list of scholarships available to Indian students at Columbia University.

Shardashish Fellowship: Offers eligible Indian students willing to commit to India cost-free and $50,000 per annum. Proof of financial need and admission to specific programs is required.

JN Tata Endowment Scholarship: This is a merit-based scholarship meant for postgraduate studies outside the S-States, whereby the applicant must already have attained a minimum of 60% in the previous degrees.

Narotam Sekhsaria Fellowship: Provides full and partial scholarships as interest-free loans for Indian nationals less than 30 years for postgraduate courses

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:   What does Columbia University look for in students?
A: 

The university seeks students who can take advantage of Columbia's experience and will return something meaningful to the community. They prefer students whose interests, skills, goals, and values align closely with them. Columbia University looks at various academic and non-academic factors in international or domestic students. Some crucial factors along with their level of importance are discussed below:

Academic/Non-Academic Factors

Level of Importance

Rigor of secondary school records

Very Important

Class rank

Important

Academic GPA

Very Important

Application Essay

Very Important

Extracurricular activity

Important

Character/Personal quality

Very Important

Q:   How long does it take to hear back from Columbia University?
A: 

Columbia University usually replies in 6 to 8 weeks, once applied for undergraduate or graduate studies. Students must make sure they fulfill the basic eligibility requirements and submit all the required documents before paying application deadline, and apply. The school of General Studies provide their decision in Mar of Fall intake and Oct of Spring intake.

Q:   How much is a 1-year tuition at Columbia University in Indian rupees?
A: 

The Columbia University tuition fees for international students is based on the programs and the year. The tuition fees is quite high for Indians, and lie between INR 51L and INR 59 L for UG and INR 20L and INR 1.23 Cr for PG. Students can check the table below for the tuition cost of popular programs:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

BBA (7 courses)

INR 58 L - 59 L

B.E. / B.Tech (14 courses)

INR 52 L - 59 L

B.A. (55 courses)

INR 58 L - 59 L

M.A. (140 courses)

INR 20 L - 75 L

MS (74 courses)

INR 28 L - 1 Cr

MBA/PGDM (19 courses)

INR 45 L - 80 L

Others PG (28 courses)

INR 28 L - 1 Cr

B.Sc. (20 courses)

INR 58 L - 59 L

MBA/PGDM6 (6 courses)

INR 52 L - 84 L

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
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
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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MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Highlights

  • The Master of Science (MS) program is intended for people who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding of computer science
  • The program provides a unique opportunity to develop leading-edge in-depth knowledge of specific computer science disciplines
  • MS students are encouraged to participate in the state of the art research with the research groups and labs
  • The department currently offers concentration tracks covering eight such disciplines. Students can choose from one of the tracks below:
  • Vision, Graphics, Interaction, and Robotics
Read more

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
Scholarships

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About the author

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Akash Gaur

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Akash takes keen interest in writing content. He is particularly drawn towards putting his thoughts into words and is what he enjoys the most. Currently working as part of the Study Abroad team at Shiksha, he keeps a sharp focus on education policie...Read Full Bio

MS in Computer Science
 at 
Columbia University 
 
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MS in Computer Science
 at 
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)

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