Columbia University in the City of New York

  • 10/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • New York, NY
  • 0 reviews
#22 Best Colleges in America

Overview

Total enrollment

35,173
Columbia University in the City of New York overview
Columbia University in the City of New York overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Columbia University occupies several blocks in Manhattan's Morningside Heights neighborhood, featuring a cohesive campus of Beaux-Arts architecture centered around the iconic Low Memorial Library. Founded in 1754 as King's College, it is one of eight Ivy League institutions and the oldest college in New York State. The university maintains highly selective undergraduate programs through Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, with notable strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and engineering disciplines. The core curriculum, a cornerstone of Columbia's undergraduate education, emphasizes classic Western literature and philosophy while requiring all students to complete specific courses in contemporary civilization, art humanities, and music humanities. First-year students typically reside in the neo-Gothic residence halls along 114th Street, while the university's location provides direct access to New York City's cultural and professional opportunities.

Ratings

Columbia is rated within the top 5% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    10 out of 10
  • Academics
    10 out of 10
  • Resources
    10 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    10 out of 10
  • Value
    10 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional
Columbia University in the City of New York admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1510/1580
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 34/35

Acceptance Rate

4%
Columbia University in the City of New York applications overview
  • Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 64.9%
  • Application Fee $85

Applicant Competition Extreme

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$71,845
Costs for Columbia University in the City of New York
Fee Cost
Tuition $71,845
Books and Supplies $1,440
Other Fees $3,845
Room and Board $17,580
Budget for Other Expenses $1,508
Total One Year Cost $96,218

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$107,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

93% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Columbia University in the City of New York are Social Sciences, Engineering, and English and Literature. 26% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in Engineering, and 7% in English and Literature.

  • Social Sciences 26%
  • Engineering 12%
  • English and Literature 7%
  • History 7%
  • Health Professions 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Columbia University in the City of New York are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190150.

GPA calculator: Columbia University in the City of New York GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026