Overview
Columbia University in the City of New York is a extremely selective private four-year institution in New York, New York. The school accepts 4.0% of applicants and enrolls 8,899 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 4.0%
- Average SAT
- 1,535
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,490–1,580
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 35
- Total Enrollment
- 8,899
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Columbia cares more about intellectual risk-taking than perfect grades, so your essays should showcase moments when you challenged conventional thinking or pursued unconventional paths. The admissions committee reads thousands of essays about New York City, so skip the generic "concrete jungle" descriptions and focus on specific Columbia resources like the Core Curriculum's Great Books seminars or research opportunities at the Earth Institute.
Your supplemental essays must address Columbia's specific academic structure. The Core Curriculum requires all undergraduates to take the same foundational courses in literature, philosophy, art, music, and science, creating shared intellectual experiences across majors. Write about how you'll contribute to seminar discussions on Plato or Homer, not just what you'll gain from reading them.
Don't assume Columbia functions like other Ivy League schools. You apply directly to one of three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. Each has different requirements and cultures. Engineering applicants should understand that the school balances technical training with liberal arts through the Core, while Columbia College students can still pursue pre-professional tracks alongside classical education.
Your "Why Columbia" essay should reference specific professors, research centers, or programs beyond what appears on the website's front page. Mention the Journalism School's student newspaper training, the Business School's entrepreneurship programs available to undergraduates, or cross-registration opportunities with Barnard College. Generic mentions of "world-class faculty" reveal you haven't done your homework.
Early Decision provides a significant advantage, but only apply ED if Columbia is genuinely your first choice. The binding commitment means you forfeit comparing financial aid offers, though Columbia meets full demonstrated need. Regular Decision applicants face steeper competition in an already brutal process.
Columbia's urban campus creates a different college experience than suburban peers. Students live in Manhattan dormitories, intern at UN headquarters during the semester, and access world-class museums and cultural institutions daily. Your application should show you understand this environment and have specific plans for engaging with the city beyond surface-level attractions.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $20,148/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $69,045
- Students Receiving Aid
- 23%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 95.0%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $102,491/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 97.2%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia University in the City of New York require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia has adopted a test-optional policy for undergraduate admissions. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
What is the early decision deadline for Columbia University in the City of New York?
Columbia offers Early Decision with a deadline of November 1st. This is a binding commitment, meaning accepted students must attend Columbia and withdraw applications from other schools.
Can you transfer to Columbia University in the City of New York as a sophomore?
Columbia accepts transfer students who have completed at least one year of college coursework. Transfer applications are due March 1st for fall semester entry.
Does Columbia University in the City of New York have separate applications for different schools?
Students apply directly to one of Columbia's undergraduate schools: Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. Each school has specific requirements and considers different factors in admissions.