Columbia University in the City of New York campus

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Columbia Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 76%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Columbia are predominantly White with a smaller Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 62% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Columbia University in the City of New York students
Race Percent of Students
White
38%
Black
8%
Hispanic
13%
Asian
18%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
15%
Race Unknown
3%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 21% more female students than male students enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York with a gender ratio of 55% women to 45% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Columbia has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Columbia University in the City of New York students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
45%
Women
55%
Enrollment by gender for Columbia University in the City of New York students
Gender Number of Students
Men
15,887
Women
19,286

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very High

Geographic Diversity Index: 84%

Columbia draws 16 percent of students from New York, 63 percent from other states, and 20 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside New York, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Columbia University in the City of New York students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
16%
Out of State
63%
Foreign
20%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$76,971 per year

21% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

35,173
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 18.9%
Part-time undergraduates 7.1%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Columbia University in the City of New York often consider these colleges

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

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026