Columbia University

{"text":"Columbia University is a famous Ivy League school known for its great teaching and research was established in 1754. It's often ranked among the top 25 universities worldwide. With more than 19,000 students from different countries, it's a diverse and exciting place to study.

But getting in isn't easy – Columbia is super selective, with only about 4% of applicants accepted. If you're an international student, you'll need a decent GPA, around 3.0 or higher, to even be considered. But most students who get in have even higher grades, around 3.6 on average.

Plus, studying at Columbia doesn't come cheap. The yearly tuition fees are pretty high, around 55 lakhs INR, because it's an Ivy League school with top-notch education and facilities.\nColumbia University Key Highlights\nColumbia University stands as a renowned institution known for its academic excellence, prime location, diverse student body, and esteemed faculty. Check out the Columbia University Key Highlights below:- \n\n\n\n\n\nAspect\n\n\nColumbia University\n\n\n\n\nEstablishment\n\n\n1754\n\n\n\n\nType\n\n\nPrivate Ivy League Research University\n\n\n\n\nLocation\n\n\nNew York City, New York, USA\n\n\n\n\nAccreditation\n\n\nMiddle States Commission on Higher Education\n\n\n\n\nRanking (QS)\n\n\nTop 25 globally\n\n\n\n\nApplication Fee\n\n\n$85 for undergraduate programs and $85–$250 for graduate programs.\n\n\n\n\nNumber of Students\n\n\nApproximately 31,000\n\n\n\n\nInternational Students\n\n\nOver 19,000\n\n\n\n\nAcceptance Rate\n\n\nApproximately 4%\n\n\n\n\nAccepted Exam\n\n\nSAT or ACT, GRE or GMAT for graduate programs\n\n\n\n\nCampus Placements\n\n\n\n\nBachelor's degree: $500,000 (approximately 4 crore INR)\n\n\nOther degrees: $280,000 (approximately 2 crore INR)\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScholarships\n\n\n\n\nFulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships\n\n\nMBA Scholarship\n\n\nDebesh-Kamal Scholarship for Higher Studies\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEmployment Rate\n\n\n95%\n\n\n\n\nMale-Female Ratio\n\n\n46% women and 54% men\n\n\n\n\nStudent-Faculty Ratio\n\n\n6:1\n\n\n\n\nOfficial Website\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.columbia.edu\/ \n\n\n\n\n\nColumbia University Ranking\nColumbia University consistently ranks among the world's top universities, recognized for its academic excellence and research impact.

Check out the Columbia University Ranking below:- \n\n\n\n\n\nRanking Agency\n\n\nRanking 2024\n\n\n\n\nQS World University Rankings\n\n\n#23\n\n\n\n\nBest Global Universities US News\n\n\n#7\n\n\n\n\nWorld University Rankings THE\n\n\n#17\n\n\n\n\nNational Universities US News\n\n\n#12\n\n\n\n\n\nColumbia University Scholarships \nAt Columbia University, financial aid and scholarships are primarily determined by financial need rather than academic excellence, athletic prowess, or other talents. International students at Columbia University have their demonstrated financial needs fully covered, with an average financial aid package totalling approximately $79,375 (65 lakhs INR).\nWhile scholarships based on academic achievements, sports skills, or talents are not offered, international students have access to various popular scholarships to study in the USA, including:\n\n\n\n\n\nScholarship\n\n\nEligibility Criteria\n\n\nAmount Award (in INR)\n\n\n\n\nFulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships\n\n\nBachelor’s program: Minimum 55% average; Work experience: 3+ years; Community service background\n\n\nTuition fees; partial living expenses; Healthcare expenses\n\n\n\n\nMBA Scholarship\n\n\nOpen to MBA students\n\n\n10,000 to 30,000 USD\n\n\n\n\nDebesh-Kamal Scholarship for Higher Studies\n\n\nAge: Below 30; Field: Preferably social science or related disciplines\n\n\n1 lakh for 1 year\n\n\n\n\n\nColumbia University Courses \nAt Columbia University, there are lots of different classes you can take. Whether you're interested in business, art, science, or engineering, Columbia has something for you.

They offer over 100 programs for both undergraduates and graduates in more than 80 subjects. Check out the Columbia University Courses below:-  \nNote:-The fee structure mentioned below is subject to change in accordance with the university's policies. The university reserves the right to modify the fees at any time without prior notice\n\n\n\n\n\nCourses\n\n\n1st Year Tuition Fees\n\n\nDuration & Eligibility\n\n\n\n\nMBA\/PGDM\n\n\nINR 44 L - 76 L\n\n\nDuration: 9 months to 2 years.

Eligibility requires TOEFL scores ranging from 99 to 114, IELTS scores of 7 and above, or acceptable GRE, PTE, Duolingo, or GMAT scores.\n\n\n\n\nM.A.\n\n\nINR 20 L - 72 L\n\n\nDuration: 9 months to 5 years. Eligibility includes TOEFL scores of 100 to 114, GRE scores, IELTS scores ranging from 7 to 7.5, or GMAT scores for admission.\n\n\n\n\nMS\n\n\nINR 27 L - 76 L\n\n\nDuration: 9 months to 3 years. Eligibility criteria comprise TOEFL scores ranging from 99 to 114, GRE scores, IELTS scores ranging from 6.5 to 7, or acceptable PTE, Duolingo, or GMAT scores.\n\n\n\n\nMIM\n\n\nINR 44 L - 76 L\n\n\nDuration: 9 months to 2 years.

TOEFL scores required are 99 to 114, IELTS scores of 7 and above, or acceptable GRE, PTE, Duolingo, or GMAT scores.\n\n\n\n\nB.A.\n\n\nINR 50 L - 52 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 to 5 years. Eligibility necessitates IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5, TOEFL scores ranging from 100 to 105, or Duolingo scores of 135 and above.\n\n\n\n\nB.Sc.\n\n\nINR 50 L - 52 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 years. Eligibility includes IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5, TOEFL scores of 105 and above, or Duolingo scores of 135 and above.\n\n\n\n\nOthers PG\n\n\nINR 27 L - 88 L\n\n\nDuration: 9 months to 2 years.

Eligibility requires TOEFL scores ranging from 100 to 114, GRE scores, or GMAT scores.\n\n\n\n\nB.E. \/ B.Tech\n\n\nINR 50 L - 52 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 years. Eligibility necessitates IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5, TOEFL scores ranging from 100 to 105, or Duolingo scores of 135 and above.\n\n\n\n\nBBA\n\n\nINR 50 L - 52 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 years. Eligibility comprises IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5, TOEFL scores of 105 and above, or Duolingo scores of 135 and above.\n\n\n\n\nB.J.M.C.\n\n\nINR 50 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 years.

Eligibility necessitates IELTS scores of 7 and above.\n\n\n\n\nMPA\n\n\nINR 51 L\n\n\nDuration: 1 to 4 years. Eligibility requires TOEFL scores of 100 and above.\n\n\n\n\nMFA\n\n\nINR 54 L\n\n\nDuration: 2 years. Eligibility necessitates IELTS scores of 7.5 and above.\n\n\n\n\nM.Arch\n\n\nINR 51 L - 81 L\n\n\nDuration: 1 to 4 years.

Eligibility includes TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores.\n\n\n\n\nLL.M.\n\n\nINR 60 L - 64 L\n\n\nDuration: 6 months to 1 year. Eligibility necessitates TOEFL scores of 105 and above.\n\n\n\n\nB.Arch\n\n\nINR 50 L - 52 L\n\n\nDuration: 4 years. Eligibility comprises IELTS scores of 7 to 7.5, TOEFL scores of 105 and above, or Duolingo scores of 135 and above.\n\n\n\n\nExecutive MBA\/PGDM\n\n\nINR 1 Cr\n\n\nDuration: 20 months.

Eligibility includes GMAT or GRE scores.\n\n\n\n\nPh.D.\n\n\nINR 35 L\n\n\nDuration: 5 years. Eligibility requires GRE, IELTS, TOE\n\n\n\n\n\nColumbia University Campus\n\n\nColumbia University's campus sprawls across 36 acres in Manhattan, positioning it as one of the largest and most scenic campuses in New York City.\n\n\nSituated in the heart of Manhattan, Columbia's location offers students unparalleled access to a myriad of internship opportunities and professional experiences in one of the world's most dynamic cities.\n\n\nColumbia University boasts a comprehensive selection of over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, spanning more than 80 areas of study to cater to diverse academic interests.\n\n\nWith a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, students benefit from personalized attention and mentorship from esteemed faculty members.\n\n\nAmong the most enrolled postgraduate programs at Columbia University are those offered by the Fu Foundation of Engineering & Applied Science, attracting 3,367 international students, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with 2,772 international students.\n\n\nColumbia University Cost of Attendance\nThinking about attending Columbia University? Well, there's something important you should know: it's going to cost you.

According to the Columbia Chronicle, the prices for tuition fees and housing are going up by 2% again this fall. This makes the overall cost of going to Columbia pretty high, reaching up to $70,000 (58 lakhs INR) a year for some programs. Let's break down what you'll need to pay for if you decide to study at Columbia this year.\n\n\n\n\n\nExpense Category\n\n\nAmount (USD)\n\n\nAmount (INR)\n\n\n\n\nUG\n\n\n\n\nTuition and Fees\n\n\n$68,400\n\n\n56 lakhs\n\n\n\n\nHousing and Food\n\n\n$16,800\n\n\n13 lakhs\n\n\n\n\nBooks and Personal\n\n\n$3,742\n\n\n3 lakhs\n\n\n\n\nPG\n\n\n\n\nTuition and Fees\n\n\n$65,000\n\n\n53 lakhs\n\n\n\n\nHousing and Food\n\n\n$25,560\n\n\n21 lakhs\n\n\n\n\nBooks and Personal\n\n\n$9,111\n\n\n7 lakhs\n\n\n\n\n\nColumbia University Major Intakes \n\n\nColumbia University offers three intake periods: fall, spring, and summer, providing flexibility for prospective students.\n\n\nFor fall 2024 admission, the application deadlines are as follows:\n\n\nPriority Early Action: January 15, 2025\n\n\nEarly Action: March 1, 2025\n\n\nRegular Decision: May 15, 2024\n\n\nThese deadlines allow applicants to choose the most suitable timeline for their application process, whether they prefer to apply early or during the regular admission period.\n\n\nColumbia University Notable Alumni \n\n\nBarack Obama: Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, served from 2009 to 2017.

As the first African-American president, he made history with his tenure marked by significant legislative achievements and a focus on healthcare reform.\n\n\nFranklin Delano Roosevelt: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. Known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, his New Deal policies reshaped the American government and society.\n\n\nJake Gyllenhaal: Jake Gyllenhaal is a versatile American actor known for his compelling performances in stage productions, television shows, and films. His breakout roles in movies like \"October Sky\" and \"Brokeback Mountain\" established him as a respected figure in Hollywood.\n\n\nTimothée Chalamet: Timothée Chalamet is an American-French actor acclaimed for his talent and versatility on stage and screen.

Rising to prominence with roles in critically acclaimed films like \"Call Me by Your Name\" and \"Little Women,\" he has garnered numerous award nominations.\n\n\nAlexander Hamilton: Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of the United States, was a key figure in shaping early American politics and policies. Serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury, his contributions include the establishment of the nation's financial system and the promotion of a strong central government.\n\n\nColumbia University Placements\n\n\nColumbia University offers exceptional placement counselling services, considered among the best in the industry.\n\n\nA remarkable 95% of Columbia University graduates secure employment immediately upon graduation, reflecting the university's strong ties with employers.\n\n\nThe average salary earned through placements at Columbia University is approximately $170,000 (around 1.4 crore INR), underscoring the lucrative opportunities available to its graduates.\n\n\nThe average salaries based on the level of degree attained are as follows:\n\n\nBachelor's degree: $500,000 (approximately 4 crore INR)\n\n\nOther degrees: $280,000 (approximately 2 crore INR)\n\n\nDoctorate: $200,000 (approximately 1.6 crore INR)\n\n\nExecutive MBA: $175,000 (approximately 1.4 crore INR)\n\n\nMBA: $150,000 (approximately 1.24 crore INR)\n\n\nExecutive Masters: $147,000 (approximately 1.21 crore INR)\n\n","requirements":"","courses":[],"gallery":["https:\/\/d2bps9p1kiy4ka.cloudfront.net\/5b09189f7285894d9130ccd0\/a0e9765d-b176-43be-b53a-cfbf16cf9da2.jpg","https:\/\/d2bps9p1kiy4ka.cloudfront.net\/5b09189f7285894d9130ccd0\/83618e6d-cb82-47c4-a2f8-f3b65b44775f.png"]}

Columbia University is one of the eight private Ivy League Universities in the US, based in the city of New York. It is one of the best universities in the United States for Indian students. Columbia Uni USA offers world-class STEM programs, research facilities, and industry exposure to global brands like Google, Apple, Amazon, & Meta.

• Academic structure - It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and houses around 21 schools and colleges. It also maintains its own research facilities such as the Irving Medical Center and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
• Industry Partnerships - The university maintains active partnerships with industry giants like General Motors and Tesla to build chassis and engines for the Formula Racing Team.
• Very selective - Indian students will have to perform extra well in their academics to study here, as the Columbia University acceptance rate is 4.2%
• Financial aid - Columbia University aims to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial aid for international students. The average award for international financial aid recipients has been USD 79,375 (Aroud INR 76 lakh).
• Alumni and faculty - The university has produced over 100 Nobel Prize Winners, 4 USA Presidents, 50+ living billionaires, and 33 Academy Award winners. Popular alumni who have studied at Columbia Uni are Ruth Bader Ginsburg (American Lawyer), Timothée Chalamet, Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, etc.

Over Shiksha Study Abroad platform, Columbia University has been rated 3.7 out of 5. Some of the Indian student reviews for Columbia University are given below-

• Faculty is quite amazing at Columbia, and most of them have graduated from top universities. Their knowledge in their particular field is remarkable. The education imparted here is more practical rather than theoretical
• For MSc in Enterprise Risk Management course at Columbia Uni, it has been stated that ROI for this course is great. This course covers all the aspects of a degree.

Columbia University Information

Columbia Uni has been classified among R1: Doctoral Universities - with very high research activity. The scientists of this university have been credited with around 175 new inventions in Health Sciences. Mentioned below are some key facts related to studies at Columbia University USA.

Check out the videos below to know more about studies in the US:

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:

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	Former Indian Politician and Social Reformer Main Architect of the Constitution of India and Former Minister of Law and Justice Earned a PhD in Economics in 1927
Barack Obama	44th President of the United States First Black President of the country Graduated with a BA in Political Science in 1983
	American Investor and Philanthropist CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Graduated with an MS in Economics in 1951
	American Actress Known for the movies: Bourne Identity and 10 Things I Hate About You Pursued a degree in English Literature and graduated in 2005

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:

• For MBA course, Columbia University application deadline is Sep 1, 2026, for Jan 2027 entry. 
• The upcoming Columbia University application deadline for international UG students is Nov 1, 2026 

Indian students can apply Columbia University by submitting either the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge application for UG courses. On the other hand, for admission to PG courses, the students can apply via the direct university portal. As part of the Columbia University admissions, Indian students have to pay the Columbia University application fee of around USD 85 (INR 7.5 K) for admission to UG courses. The application fee for PG courses varies as per the courses. For MBA course, the application deadline is USD 250 (Around INR 24k).

Columbia University Application Deadlines

The upcoming deadlines at Columbia are mentioned below:

Columbia University Entry Criteria

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.

• 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.

General list of documents required to apply to Columbia University

• 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

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.

How many campuses are there at Columbia University?

Columbia has three campuses, but 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.

Columbia University 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.
• 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:

• All your Columbia Housing queries have been answered here: How to Navigate Housing at Columbia University?
• Studying at Columbia University: What It's Like to Live in New York City?

Columbia University is one of the finest universities for higher education in the USA. When it comes to Columbia University rankings, it is one of the top-ranked universities worldwide. As per Shiksha Popularity rankings, Columbia University Ranking in USA is #12. On a global level, it ranks #19 in the world. A few of the subject rankings of this university are #4 for MSN, #4 for MArch, #6 for MBA, #11 for MS, etc.

By Other Ranking Bodies

Apart from the Shiksha Popularity ranking, the university is also ranked on both the national and global level by many university ranking platforms, as shown below.

• US News ranks it #15 among National Universities in 2026
• The Columbia University World Ranking 2026, as given by Times Higher Education is #20
• Columbia University QS ranking is #43 in 2027. This university was placed at #38 in 2026. Though there is a decline in the QS rankings, it has still managed to rank among the Top 50 Universities in the world.

Columbia University Subject Rankings

A few of Columbia University subject rankings as per QS are given below-