Columbia University

What Columbia University Is

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in the Morningside Heights neighbourhood of Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1754 as King’s College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in New York State and among the oldest in the United States. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Columbia is ranked 34th globally. In US News National Universities 2026, it is ranked 15th.

Columbia’s most defining institutional characteristic is its location in New York City, the financial, media, and diplomatic capital of the world, and the direct pipelines this location creates between academic programmes and the industries that dominate the city. Students at Columbia’s journalism school work blocks from the New York Times headquarters; students at SIPA (the School of International and Public Affairs) regularly interact with United Nations officials, foreign policy practitioners, and World Bank economists; students at Columbia Law are positioned for Wall Street law firms and federal clerkships.

The university is organised into approximately 20 schools and faculties. For prospective students, the most relevant units are:

• Columbia College, the flagship undergraduate liberal arts college
• Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), undergraduate and graduate engineering and data science
• School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), postgraduate international relations, public administration, and public policy
• Columbia Journalism School, postgraduate journalism
• Columbia Law School, JD and LLM degrees
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, MA and PhD programmes in economics, political science, data science, and other disciplines

Columbia is a need-blind institution for US citizens and some international students, meaning the university does not consider financial need in its admissions decisions. The average grant aid awarded to students who receive financial aid is substantial, but international students should note that need-blind admissions does not extend to all international applicants, and that grant aid for international undergraduates is more limited than for domestic students.

Who It’s For

Undergraduate applicants: Columbia’s acceptance rate is approximately 3.9%, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States. Successful applicants typically have near-perfect high school GPAs, test scores in the top few percent of test-takers (SAT 1490–1580 middle 50%), significant extracurricular depth, and strong essays. The Core Curriculum, a set of required courses in literature, philosophy, art history, science, music, and writing taken by all Columbia College students, is a defining feature of the undergraduate experience. Unlike many US universities, Columbia does not offer a cafeteria-style course menu for the first two years; the Core structures the intellectual experience.

Postgraduate applicants in journalism: The Columbia Journalism School is among the most prestigious journalism postgraduate programmes in the world. Its graduates have won more Pulitzer Prizes than those of any other journalism school. The one-year MS in Journalism is a practicum-heavy programme; students produce real journalism while in residence. See also: BA Journalism, BA Media Studies.

Postgraduate applicants in international affairs and public policy: SIPA (School of International and Public Affairs) is one of the strongest IR and public policy schools in the world, comparable to Georgetown’s Walsh School, Harvard’s Kennedy School, and Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. It offers the Master of International Affairs (MIA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA). Graduates take roles at international organisations, government agencies, multilateral institutions, and consulting firms. See also: MA International Relations, MA Public Policy.

Postgraduate applicants in data science: SEAS offers the MS in Data Science, a technically intensive programme with strong placement in technology companies and finance. MSc Data Science.

Indian students specifically: Columbia has a significant Indian graduate student population, particularly in SIPA, SEAS, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows STEM graduates to work in the US for up to three years post-graduation without employer visa sponsorship in the first instance.

Programs Offered

Undergraduate

Columbia College offers a four-year BA across all arts, sciences, and social sciences. All undergraduates complete the Core Curriculum regardless of major. The most common majors among students are Computer Science, Economics, Political Science, History, and English. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science offers BS degrees in computer science, data science, applied mathematics, and other engineering disciplines.

Columbia does not offer a standalone BA in Journalism at the undergraduate level, journalism at Columbia is a graduate professional programme. Students interested in undergraduate journalism should see BA Journalism for Indian universities offering this.

• BA Economics, One of the most popular majors at Columbia College. Strong quantitative orientation. Many graduates enter finance, consulting, or economics PhD programmes. See also: MA Economics.

• BA Political Science, Covers comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and American politics. A common path toward law school, government service, or PhD study. See also: MA Political Science.

• BA History, Deep coverage of American, European, and world history. Strong academic community with major research centres.

• BS/BA in Data Science (via SEAS or Columbia College), Covers statistical modelling, machine learning, and data systems. One of the most applied programmes in Columbia’s offerings. See also: MSc Data Science.

• BS Computer Science, Offered through SEAS. Strong placement in technology companies. See also: BSc Computer Science.

Postgraduate

• MS in Journalism (Columbia Journalism School), Ten months. One of the most recognised journalism postgraduate programmes in the world. Specialisations include data journalism, radio/audio reporting, documentary, business and economics reporting, and investigative journalism. The programme is practicum-heavy; students produce published or broadcast journalism during their training. Admissions are very competitive. See also: BA Journalism, BA Media Studies.

• Master of International Affairs (MIA) / Master of Public Administration (MPA), SIPA, Two years each. MIA focuses on international relations and development; MPA on public administration and governance. Concentrations include international security and armed conflict, international finance and economic policy, urban and social policy, energy and environment, and human rights and humanitarian policy. Per SIPA’s official tuition page, tuition for 2025–26 is approximately $71,368 per year for MIA/MPA students. See also: MA International Relations, MA Public Policy.

• LLM (Columbia Law School), One year. Columbia Law is ranked consistently among the top five law schools in the US. The LLM programme admits international students with law degrees from other jurisdictions. Tuition is approximately $80,000+ per year. Graduates are eligible to sit the New York bar exam after completing additional requirements. See also: LLM.

• MS Data Science (SEAS), One to two years depending on course load. Covers machine learning, statistical inference, data systems, and ethics. Strong placement at technology firms and quantitative finance. See also: MSc Data Science.

• MA Economics, Offered through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Typically one to two years. Quantitatively intensive. Most students in this programme are on a path toward an economics PhD or high-level policy work. See also: MA Economics.

• MA Political Science, Research-oriented graduate degree. Most students use it as a pathway toward the Columbia PhD in Political Science or government research roles. See also: MA Political Science.

Dual degree programmes exist between SIPA and Columbia Law, Columbia Business School, and Columbia Journalism School, among others. Dual degrees allow students to simultaneously pursue two professional degrees with some credit overlap.

Campus and Infrastructure

Columbia’s main campus, the Morningside Heights campus, is a formal quadrangle designed by McKim, Mead and White in the Italian Renaissance style, occupying approximately 30 acres along Broadway in upper Manhattan. The architectural centrepiece is Low Memorial Library, which houses the university’s administrative offices and is a recognisable landmark.

Adjacent to the main campus is the Barnard College campus (Barnard is a historically women’s college that is affiliated with but legally independent from Columbia). Medical Center facilities are in northern Manhattan (Washington Heights). The Manhattanville campus, completed in phases since 2016, hosts the Columbia Business School and other graduate units.

Living costs in New York: New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Students should budget at minimum $25,000–$30,000 per year for accommodation, food, health insurance, and transport beyond tuition and mandatory fees. The total cost of attendance at Columbia College for 2025–26 is officially estimated at $96,260 (tuition $70,170 + mandatory fees $3,280 + room and board $18,680 + books and personal expenses $4,130), per the Columbia College bulletin.

The Butler Library: Columbia’s main research library, one of the largest in the Ivy League. Open 24 hours during term.

The Core Curriculum: For undergraduates, the Core is not optional. Literature Humanities (Lit Hum), Contemporary Civilisation (CC), Art Humanities, Music Humanities, Frontiers of Science, and writing seminars are all required regardless of major. This is a considered choice by Columbia; it produces a shared intellectual experience but also means undergraduates have less scheduling flexibility than at peer institutions.

OPT and STEM OPT: Many of Columbia’s SEAS and data science programmes qualify for 36-month STEM Optional Practical Training. This allows graduates to work in the US for up to three years post-graduation without immediate H-1B sponsorship, which is a significant practical advantage for international students.

Things to Verify Before Applying

Undergraduate admissions are extremely competitive: An acceptance rate of approximately 3.9% means Columbia rejects the vast majority of even well-qualified applicants. High school applicants should apply through the Common Application with the Columbia-specific supplemental essays. Early Decision applications are binding and historically admit a higher proportion of applicants than Regular Decision.

Columbia is test-optional but selective regardless: Columbia operates a test-optional admissions policy for undergraduates, meaning you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, the comprehensive review process is rigorous. If you submit scores, the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is approximately 1490–1580.

English language requirements: International applicants for whom English is not the primary language of instruction must submit TOEFL (minimum 100 iBT) or IELTS (minimum 7.0) scores for most programmes. Columbia Law and some other professional schools may have higher requirements.

SIPA is a professional graduate school, not a research degree programme: The MIA and MPA are professional degrees. They do not typically lead to academic careers. The admissions process assesses relevant work experience, demonstrated interest in policy/international affairs, and leadership in addition to academic credentials. GRE scores are optional for some SIPA programmes; check the specific programme page.

Financial aid for international students: Columbia is need-blind for domestic US applicants but not universally so for international undergraduate applicants. Graduate and professional school students (SIPA, Law, Business, Journalism) have access to limited institutional grants, scholarships from external organisations, and US federal loans (for eligible students). International students are generally not eligible for US federal student loans. Budget carefully.

Cost of living in New York City: The university’s official cost of attendance figures for housing and food are often conservative. Many students spend significantly more in NYC. Build a realistic budget before committing.

Columbia Law LLM and bar eligibility: Graduates of the LLM who hold a first law degree from a non-US jurisdiction may be eligible to sit the New York bar exam under New York’s foreign law school graduate rule. Eligibility depends on the specific foreign degree and additional credit requirements. Confirm the current rules with Columbia Law’s Office of Admission before applying.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• BA Journalism, Undergraduate journalism degree options
• BA Media Studies, Media studies undergraduate programmes
• MA International Relations, Postgraduate IR programmes
• MA Political Science, Political science postgraduate pathways
• MA Public Policy, Public policy programme options
• LLM, Postgraduate law programmes globally
• MSc Data Science, Data science postgraduate programmes
• MA Economics, Postgraduate economics programmes

Sources Used

• Columbia College, Fees, Expenses, and Financial Aid 2025–26
• Columbia SIPA, Tuition and Fees 2025–26
• Columbia SIPA, Employment Statistics (Class of 2024)
• QS World University Rankings 2025
• US News Best Colleges, Columbia University