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Columbia University

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4 (111 ratings)

Everything you need to know about Columbia University

  • Columbia University is a private research university established in 1754 and located in Manhattan, New York, USA. The institute hosts three undergraduate schools across a vast area of nearly 40 acres. Apart from the main campus, the institute has two other campuses outside of Manhattan that offer various courses and programs.
  • The university has an acceptance rate of only 5%. Some popular programs at Columbia University are B.E, B.Tech, MBA, M.A, B.Sc, LLB, etc. Columbia University is an Ivy League School and one of the country's top private research universities. The institute offers over eighty courses and bachelor's, PG, certification, diploma, and Ph.D. programs. 
  • The programs feature special research options and summer research jobs, among other great facilities. The university also has a record-breaking 100% placement for all its students within three months of graduation. The university houses some of the world's best writers, artists, scientists, and scholars. 
  • More than 90% of the students stay at the on-campus accommodation available at 20 residence halls, and the living expenses would be around 11,000 USD per year for housing and meals. 
  • The average tuition fee at the university is around 61,000 USD per annum, and the institution offers several grants even at the entry level, has on-campus accommodation, and has top faculty for students to hone their skills.
Bachelors
Masters
PG Diploma
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Fees ($)

$2.40L / year

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Fees (₹)

₹1.99Cr / year

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Duration

48 months

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Fees ($)

$60.10K / year

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Fees (₹)

₹49.82L / year

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Duration

48 months

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Fees ($)

$60.10K / year

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Fees (₹)

₹49.73L / year

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Duration

48 months

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Fees ($)

$60.51K / year

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Fees (₹)

₹50.16L / year

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Duration

48 months

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Fees ($)

$65.52K / year

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Fees (₹)

₹54.23L / year

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Duration

24 months

Postgraduate

MBA

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Fees ($)

$91.73K / year

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Fees (₹)

₹75.92L / year

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Duration

24 months

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Select education and stream level to view the fees for a relevant course.

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University Ranking

The esteemed Ivy League of Universities includes the 1754-founded Columbia University. The oldest university in New York City and one of the oldest in the country is Columbia University, which was established before the Declaration of Independence.

In terms of US rankings, US News & World Report gives the highest weight to the university's reputation, and global and regional research has Columbia University placed third for the past four years (2018-2021). The university has been ranked among the top 10 over the past five years by the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, which factors in research output (40%) and quality of faculty (40%) as well as the quality of instruction (10%). Check out the 2021 Columbia University Admissions page.

For the past five years, Columbia University has been ranked in the top 20 by international ranking experts, QS University Rankings, and Times Higher Education (THE) (2017-2021). When ranking universities on a global scale, Times Higher Education (THE) gives equal weight to teaching, research, and citations at 30% each, whereas QS University Rankings prioritise academic reputation (40%) and employer reputation (30%).

Ranked By20182019202020212022
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Universities Rankings8878NA
QS - World University Ranking1816181919
THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking1416161711
US News & World Report - Global Universities87766
US News & World Report - National University Ranking33332
Course Ranking

Three recognised undergraduate colleges of Columbia University—Columbia College (CC), Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (FFEAS), and The School of General Studies (GS)—offer a variety of course options for students. A few graduate schools that fall under the university are the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia Business School, and Columbia Law School.

The university is one of the top five universities to study for a Finance MBA, as seen in the table, according to US News & World Report's rating of universities' course offerings. The university has been listed in the top 10 for the past six years, from 2016 to 2021, by the Graduate Business School ranking by US News & World Report, the Global MBA ranking by QS Subject Ranking, the Global MBA ranking by Financial Times, and the Best Business School ranking by Bloomberg. The university has been listed in the top 20 for accounting and finance by QS Subject Ranking, MBA business analytics by US News & World Report, and PG business and economics by Times Higher Education (THE).

Candidates interested in studying an MBA in entrepreneurship may wish to think about CU since it has been ranked 24 (2021) by US News & World Report for this particular programme. Candidates should be aware that the major rating groups supplied have various ranking standards, but they nonetheless offer a comprehensive view of the calibre of the university's courses. The institution has once again shown its mettle in taking engineering courses. For various subjects, the university typically ranks in the top 20 universities.

While the university's engineering and technology programmes were ranked 51 by QS Subject Ranking for 2020 and 29 by Times Higher Education for 2021. US News & World Report ranked the university at number nine for its Biomedical Engineering programme, and all other programmes, such as Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, have received extraordinarily high rankings, as seen in the chart below. The university, a centre for computer education, received rankings of 14 and 16 from US News & World Report for its PG and UG Computer Engineering programmes, respectively.

Ranking for Business Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
Bloomberg - Best Business School USA79106NA
FT (Financial Times) - GMBA Ranking798NANA
QS - Accounting & Finance13101212NA
QS - Global MBA8101189
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics1113151814
US News & World Report - Entrepreneurship MBA NANANA24NA
US News & World Report - Finance MBA44444
US News & World Report - Graduate Business School96687
US News & World Report - MBA Business AnalyticsNANANA1312
Ranking for Engineering Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
QS - Architecture & Built Environment Rankings13141314NA
QS - Engineering and Technology81485147NA
QS - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering Rankings51-10051-10051-10051-100NA
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Engineering and Technology2634332927
US News & World Report - Best UG Biomedical Engineering SchoolsNANANA1716
US News & World Report - Biomedical Engineering PGNANA1099
US News & World Report - Chemical Engineering PGNANANA2322
US News & World Report - Civil Engineering PGNANANA2320
US News & World Report - Electrical Engineering PGNANANA1414
US News & World Report - Mechanical Engineering PGNANANA1717
US News & World Report - UG Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engg.NA15151418
US News & World Report - UG Mechanical EngineeringNA18182021
Ranking for Computers Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computers1921242423
US News & World Report - Computer Engineering PGNANANA1416
US News & World Report - UG Computer EngineeringNA16161617
Ranking for Science Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Mathematics Rankings25192125NA
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Physics Rankings20212121NA
QS - Pharmacy & Pharmacology Rankings4551-10051-10047NA
QS - Physics and Astronomy Rankings14141418NA
QS - QS - Biological Sciences Rankings17192019NA
QS - QS - Mathematics Rankings14121216NA
THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences Rankings1518182011
THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Psychology Rankings1516182116
Ranking for Humanities Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Political Sciences Rankings6677NA
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Sociology Ranking672015NA
QS - Communication and Media Studies Rankings11111418NA
QS - Performing Arts Rankings25252522NA
QS - Politics Rankings10111113NA
QS - QS - Art & Design Rankings30333441NA
QS - QS - Sociology Rankings11101215NA
THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts & Humanities Rankings1011121311
Ranking for Medicine Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Nursing Rankings29253546NA
QS - QS - Medicine Rankings14141313NA
QS - QS - Nursing Rankings33202018NA
THE (Times Higher Education) - Clinical and Health Rankings89101511
US News & World Report - Best Graduate Medical Schools51NANA3166
US News & World Report - Best Graduate Nursing Schools8115115
Ranking for Law Courses
Ranked By20182019202020212022
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Law Ranking3354NA
QS - QS - Law Rankings10987NA
THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Law Rankings1715162015
US News & World Report - Best Graduate Law Schools55544

9

Webometrics - World

7

US News

11

Times Higher Education

22

QS Rankings

11

Times Higher Education

16

Times Higher Education

6

US News

9

Webometrics - World

8

Webometrics - National

Since Columbia University has a very low acceptance rate, you should aim for a 75th percentile, with 1560 SAT or a 35 ACT, to have the highest chance of getting in. A GPA of at least 4.12 is also required. 

CourseDocuments RequiredIntake SeasonApplication Fees
Undergraduate CoursesJune and November75 USD to 250 USD 
Post Graduate CoursesFall and Spring 75 USD to 250 USD  

Columbia University, one of the country's top institutions, is known to have a very high placement rate. The college has a placement rate of 95% right after graduation, and the percentage is believed to increase to 100 within three months of graduation. The university also offers many programs to the students to make them industry ready and help them with career guidance and advising. The average base salary for Columbia graduates is 107,373 USD, with the highest being 500,000 USD and the lowest being 90,000 USD per annum.

Columbia University offers on-campus accommodation to its students. 92% of the students at Columbia opt for on-campus residence. The residence halls are 20 minutes from the main campus. 

But, one has to understand before deciding that while the accommodations have all the facilities, New York and Columbia are very expensive in terms of cost of living. It costs around 14,500 USD for first-year students per annum and 15,300 USD for other students, which includes housing, meals, and other living expenses.

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Jiya

I am proud to be a student at Columbia University. I have had the opportunity to experience a diverse community with people from all over the world, as well as an environment that is comfortable and feels like home. One of my favorite things about CU is that the professors are very knowledgeable about their fields and always want you to succeed.

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Navi

I am a student here now, and I have to say that Columbia is the perfect place for me. It's easy to get around, the campus is beautiful and the facilities are top notch. I've made so many friends already and all of my teachers are amazing. They teach in an engaging way that never fails to keep me interested. The tuition fees are also very reasonable.

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Geet

Columbia University is the perfect school for me. The surrounding neighborhoods are diverse, and the campus offers a lot of activities that can't be found at other schools. The faculty and staff are always willing to help and are genuinely friendly. Being in the city, it's also easy to get to any cultural event or restaurant you want.

Scholarships

Deadline

2023-07-01

Awarded

Varies

Amount

₹1.15L

Deadline

2023-07-01

Awarded

Varies

Amount

₹1.16L

Deadline

2023-06-30

Awarded

Varies

Amount

₹18.36L

Deadline

2023-07-01

Awarded

Varies

Amount

₹1.16L

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Columbia University
What is Columbia University known for?

Columbia University is an Ivy League school and is known as one of the top institutes in the world. The institute offers 80 different courses and programs to 40,000 students every year. The institute has a placement percentage of 100% within three months of graduation.

How to enrol in courses at Columbia University?

To enrol for courses at Columbia University, one must visit their official website and create an account by adding all the necessary details. Once done, you can browse for courses available at the institute, look at the eligibility criteria and other information and apply for the ones you are interested in.

How to change course at Columbia University?

If you wish to change courses at Columbia University, you must apply to the course and follow all the admission procedures again.

Is Columbia University good for international students?

Columbia University is a very welcoming place for international students with several scholarships that are available right at the beginning of the first semester. The on-campus accommodation and several courses make Columbia a university of interest for many international students.

What are the application deadlines for applying to Columbia University?

Since the university has two intakes every year, the deadline for Fall intake is early June and Spring intake is November.

What is the minimum GPA requirement to get into Columbia University?

Columbia University does not have a specific GPA requirement. But the average GPA for undergraduates is 3.19 and 3.5 for PG programs on a scale of 4.0.

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