Columbia University: Rankings, Courses & Admissions

Columbia University has 4 campuses, and it is one of the top 10 universities in New York City. Each campus inculcates academic excellence in distinct fields. The main Morningside Heights campus is renowned for its liberal arts and sciences programs, while the Manhattanville campus emphasizes exceptional research and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Below is a detailed overview of each campus, highlighting its unique strengths and offerings.

1. Morningside Heights Campus

• Historic core of Columbia, serving undergraduates and many graduate programs; home to the iconic Low Memorial Library and Butler Library, embodying over 2.8 million sq ft of academic and research space.
• Maintains a huge collection of 15 million volumes across 19 branches, making it one of the largest academic library systems in North America.
• Columbia enrolls around 8,900 undergraduates and a total student body of approximately 28,000, supported by a student–faculty ratio of about 6:1.

2. Manhattanville Campus

• Columbia’s newest urban extension is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and innovation, featuring modern buildings such as the Jerome L. Greene Science Center and the Lenfest Center for the Arts.
• Designed to promote collaborative learning and interaction, featuring open, transparent spaces linking science, business, arts, and public affairs.
• Supported 24/7 by its own Public Safety operations center, ensuring a secure environment for labs, studios, and shared community spaces.

3. Medical Center Campus (CUIMC)

• Columbia’s health sciences flagship, hosting the Roy & Diana Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mailman School of Public Health, Nursing, and Dental programs.
• Features advanced learning infrastructure, such as the Roy & Diana Vagelos Education Center, alongside world-class clinical partners, including Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
• Highly integrated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, providing students and faculty access to significant clinical research and training opportunities.

4. Lamont–Doherty & Nevis Campuses

• Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory (Palisades, NY) is Columbia’s premier environmental and earth science campus, supporting groundbreaking research in climate, geosciences, and ecosystems.
• Nevis Laboratories (Irvington, NY) is committed to experimental particle physics, advancing high-energy physics research beyond core NYC campuses.
• Both campuses serve Columbia faculty and students with targeted fieldwork, labs, and research collaboration spaces.

To understand the academic excellence that Columbia University embodies, let's first discuss its rankings and its globally prestigious position. Explore Columbia University’s rankings and see how it stands out among the world’s best.

Columbia University is a prominent institution among the world’s top 10 leading universities, consistently ranking highly across various global rankings. In 2025, Columbia secured the 13th spot in the U.S. News & World Report and ranked 18th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.​

Here’s a table demonstrating Columbia University’s rankings over the years:

Understanding subject-wise rankings gives you clearer insights into how your chosen program stands globally. Here’s a closer look at the key highlights.

Top Course-Wise Rankings 2025

Columbia University boasts impressive course‑wise rankings in 2025: its Global MBA secures a spot in QS’s top 10 worldwide (ranked 8th), while Masters in Business Analytics climbs to 6th globally. Additionally, Accounting & Finance ranks within the top 12, and Law & Legal Studies remains strong at 8th globally.

Here are some of the top Columbia University courses’ rankings for 2025:​

With the university's impressive rankings and campuses in mind, let’s understand the Columbia University admissions process if you are looking to apply in 2025.

To seek admission to Columbia University, you must demonstrate exceptional academic abilities, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to contributing meaningfully to its diverse community. 

With a 4% acceptance rate, admission is highly competitive. Therefore, it is essential to understand the specific requirements before applying.

Below is a breakdown of the admission requirements and important dates for Columbia University.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are essential as they set the academic and personal standards for applicants, ensuring that students are well-prepared for Columbia's programs. You must achieve a 4.0 GPA or a grade of 90% to gain admission to your desired program.

Let’s explore the academic qualifications required for admission to Columbia University.

Academic Qualification

Applicants must meet specific GPA and test score thresholds, submit official transcripts, and provide supporting documents tailored to their level of study. 

Graduate admissions typically require you to get a bachelor’s degree in a related field and may involve additional standardized tests or consideration of work experience.

Here's a structured table demonstrating admission requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia University:

Let’s explore the English language proficiency requirements for Columbia University.

Language Proficiency

Columbia University requires non-native English speakers to demonstrate strong language proficiency, typically a TOEFL score of at least 105, an IELTS score of 7.5, or a Duolingo English Test score of 135 for undergraduate admissions. 

Graduate-level applicants to GSAS must meet a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or an IELTS band of 7.5.

Here are the English language tests accepted at Columbia University.

Standardized test scores can help you stand out among applicants. Let's find out the requirements.

Competitive Exams

Columbia University maintains a flexible, holistic admissions process across its multiple schools and programs. For undergraduate applicants to Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, standardized testing, the SAT/ACT, is optional. 

Let us have a look at the requirements at Columbia University:

Let’s explore the visa requirements for studying at Columbia University.

Visa Requirements 

Columbia University’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) supports over 15,000 international students and scholars requiring F‑1 student visas or J‑1 visas to study at Columbia campuses. 

To initiate your visa process, you'll receive the appropriate I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) from ISSO, with most requests processed within one week. 

Below is a concise table detailing key visa requirements:

Now, let's proceed to the intake and application deadlines for admissions to Columbia University.

For Fall 2025 entry, first-year undergraduate applicants may apply via Early Decision by November 1, 2024 (closed) and via Regular Decision by January 1, 2025 (closed). Transfer students aiming for Fall 2025 must submit their applications by March 1, 2025 (closed) .

Below are the significant intake periods and deadlines at Columbia University:

Let’s explore the diverse programs and courses offered by Columbia University.

Columbia University offers 150+ programs across its multiple schools, designed to have a global impact and establish career readiness and with graduate schools ranked in the top 5 nationally, such as Physician & Surgeons (#3), Nursing (#5), and Public Health (#4), according to U.S. News. 

Below are some key programs at Columbia University:

• MS in Computer Science (Columbia Engineering): A 30-credit in-person program offering 8 specialization tracks, from AI and machine learning to security and computational biology. 
• MS in Public Health (Mailman School): Columbia’s MPH program is ranked #4 nationally and #1 in NYC, offering degrees in MPH, MS, MHA, PhD, and DrPH. Mailman ranks 3rd in the nation for NIH funding.
• MD (Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons): Ranked #3 among U.S. research medical schools, tied with Johns Hopkins and UCSF. 
• MS in Nursing (School of Nursing): Positioned #5 in master’s and #6 in DNP programs per U.S. News, the school emphasizes clinical excellence and research in mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, and primary care.
• MBA/MS in Business (Columbia Business School): While specific rankings are not listed here, the program requires GMAT/GRE and emphasizes STEM-designated tracks in finance, marketing, and analytics with strong ROI.
• Dual MS in Journalism & Computer Science: A joint 4-semester offering combining computational skills with media expertise, including workshops focused on digital journalism and application development.
• MS in Computer Engineering: Offered through Columbia Engineering, this program covers architecture, parallel systems, and embedded/VLSI design, with research opportunities in collaboration with electrical engineering faculty.
• MS in Machine Learning (Online): A 30-credit fully online track with topics in ML applications across diverse domains like bioinformatics, finance, and intelligent systems. 

With popular programs covered, let's review the fees for the most excellent programs offered at Columbia University.

Columbia University's expected cost of studying in the US for Indian students for the 2024–2025 academic year is $93,417 (INR 79.83L). 

Understanding the financial investment required for higher education at Columbia University is essential for a smoother application process. Being aware of tuition fees and living expenses enables better financial planning and decision-making.

Tuition fees vary across different programs at Columbia University. Below is an overview of tuition costs for select courses:

Note: Tuition costs could change depending on the curriculum and enrollment status. The INR conversions are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of writing.

In addition to tuition costs, you will need to cover expenses such as accommodation and food. Let's examine the costs involved.

Living expenses in New York City are substantial, and you should carefully consider them when planning your expenses abroad. 

The estimated annual cost of living in the U.S. includes approximately USD 24,650 (INR 21.2 L) for food and accommodation in the US and USD 1,000 (INR 86.1K) for books.

Estimated annual costs for a single student living off-campus are as follows:

To ease the financial burden, Columbia offers a range of scholarships. Let's explore the scholarships available to students for the upcoming academic year.

Columbia University scholarships support its students in their academic pursuits. More than $200 million (INR 1,709.2Cr) in scholarships and grants from Columbia University are available. 

Administered by the university, these scholarships are available in two categories: internal and external. The university provides internal scholarships, and various other organizations offer external scholarships.

Below is a breakdown of the internal and external scholarships for Indian students to study in the US, including Columbia University.

Internal Scholarships

Columbia University offers generous internal scholarships to support academic excellence and service. 

The Merit Scholarship is awarded automatically to first-year students and transfer students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, covering up to four years of tuition and providing support for fifth-year students in combined degree programs.

Here are some free internal scholarships for international students to study in the USA.

Let's explore external scholarships in addition to the scholarships offered by Columbia University.

External Scholarships

Columbia University offers targeted scholarships to support students in specific academic and career paths. The TeachNY Classic Scholarship awards aspiring educators $1,000 (INR 86,100) and reimburses up to $100 (INR 8,600) in application fees. 

Here are some external scholarship options available at Pace:

Now, let’s explore placements at Columbia University in the next part.

Columbia University reports strong post-graduate outcomes across its schools, with 87.4% of SIPA graduates employed or in continuing education within twelve months of graduation and a 96% placement rate for MSBA. 

Career support spans over 130,000 job and internship opportunities offered annually via Handshake and school-specific pipelines . 

Explore the jobs in the USA for Indian students. Here's how Columbia helps you land a placement:

• Career Services & Employer Partnerships: Columbia Career Education partners with top employers and connects students to over 130,000 jobs and internships yearly via Handshake. 
• Specialized programs: Specialized programs (MSBA, MSFE): 96% placement as of March 2024 for MSBA; MSFE achieved 100% placement within three months post‑graduation.
• Placement Statistics: MSFE: 95 enrolled; 90 received offers; 100% employed within 3 months. MSBA: 162 enrolled; 155 got offers; 96% placed by March 28, 2024. SIPA.
• Career Readiness Programs: Schools deliver targeted career coaching, resume and interview prep, and alums mentorship. 
• Key Resources: The Columbia Career Education central hub supports all students with Handshake, career fairs, employer events, and individual advising. 

Now, let's explore the top companies hiring graduates from Columbia University. 

Top recruiters

Columbia University’s Career Development & Professional Connections data shows 87% of undergraduates secure jobs or pursue further education within six months of graduation. The university’s annual career fairs and alumni network attract over 600 employers to recruit each year.

Here are the top recruiters consistently hiring Columbia University graduates based on official career counselling reports:

• Amazon: Recruits from computer science, engineering, and business programs for roles in software development and operations.
• Deloitte: Hires from Isenberg and economics programs for consulting and risk advisory roles.
• Raytheon Technologies: Engineering students participate in internships and full-time positions in aerospace and defense systems.
• Mass General Brigham: Major recruiter for public health, nursing, and life sciences graduates.
• Google: Partners with the College of Information & Computer Sciences for internships and graduate-level roles.
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers): Recruits finance, accounting, and analytics students for internships and entry-level roles.
• TJX Companies: One of the largest corporate recruiters on campus, hiring in merchandising, supply chain, and HR.
• Liberty Mutual Insurance: Offers internships and co-op positions for finance, actuarial science, and data analytics students.
• Bose Corporation: Engages with UMass for roles in electrical engineering, R&D, and design internships.
• Massachusetts State Government: Recruits students for civil service roles in policy, administration, and environmental planning.

Now, let's explore internship opportunities for students.

Internship & Co-op Opportunities

According to the  Beyond Columbia Survey, approximately 56.8% of undergraduates at Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science engaged in at least one internship or research opportunity during their studies. 

Here are the key highlights of internships and cooperative education (co-op) programs available at Columbia University:

• LionSHARE Portal: Columbia's exclusive job and internship platform connects students to over 3,000 active employers annually.
• Columbia Engineering Internship Fund (CEIF): Provides funding to selected Columbia Engineering students to participate in unpaid or low-paid engineering internships. 
• Internships+ Program: Allows employers to collaborate with Columbia interns, helping students hone their skills and gain practical experience. 
• Internship for Credit: The School of Professional Studies offers internship-for-credit options that count toward major requirements.
• On-Campus Employer Fairs: Over 10 career and internship fairs are held annually, drawing 600+ employers across various sectors.
• International Internship Options: Global programs are available through the Columbia International Programs Office in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

With internship opportunities explored, let's now examine what Columbia University's campus has to offer students.

Columbia University offers a strong student experience, with over 8,000 undergraduate students actively engaged in campus life. 

The university has more than 500 student-run clubs and organizations, a diverse dining system, and state-of-the-art wellness facilities. Columbia consistently ranks among the top universities for student satisfaction and engagement.

Here are some key aspects that define student life at Columbia University to study in USA from India:

• Clubs & Organizations: Over 500 student-led groups encompassing academics, culture, politics, arts, and more, including the Columbia University Student Government, Columbia University Marching Band, and Columbia University Culinary Society.
• Campus Dining: Multiple dining halls across campus, offering a variety of meal options to cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences.
• Residential Life: A range of housing options, including corridor-style and apartment-style residences, with Living-Learning Communities that foster academic and personal growth. 
• Health & Wellness: The Dodge Fitness Center provides comprehensive recreational and wellness programs, including intramural sports, group fitness classes, and personal training services. 
• Diversity & Inclusion: Centers like the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Alice! The Health Promotion Office supports a diverse student body through various programs and resources. 
• Performing Arts & Events: The university hosts numerous cultural events and performances, including theater productions, concerts, and art exhibitions, enriching the campus's cultural life.
• Outdoor Recreation: Students have access to a range of outdoor activities and programs, promoting physical well-being and community engagement.
• Sustainability in Action: Columbia is committed to sustainability, implementing green initiatives across campus to promote environmental responsibility.

These facets collectively contribute to a strong and supportive student life at Columbia University, fostering personal development and community engagement.

Now, let's identify some notable alumni from Columbia University who have made significant contributions to society.

Columbia University is ranked fifth in the world, second in North America, and second in the United States based on aggregate alum prominence. Columbia University has more than 100 famous alumni and over 365,000 in total with strong leadership. 

Columbia University’s alums include the world's most influential leaders, innovators, and creatives across diverse fields. Here are some of its most distinguished graduates:

Now that we've examined notable alumni, it's time to compare Columbia with two other Ivy League giants, Stanford and Harvard, to see how it stands in relation.

Admission in Columbia University is highly competitive. The Columbia University acceptance rate is 4%. Of the applicants who submitted their test results to Columbia University, half had an ACT score between 34 and 35. This means only 4 out of 100 applicants are accepted by the University. 

Columbia University’s tuition fees vary significantly by program type and level of study. For the 2025–2026 academic year, undergraduate fees range from 72,000 per year (INR 55.6L), while graduate and professional programs typically cost between 85,000 annually (INR 70.6L). 

Below is a detailed breakdown of the program fees:

Note: 

• Fees may vary depending on the specialization. Please check the official University website for the most up-to-date information.
• The currency conversions are based on the current exchange rate.

Now that you've explored popular courses and fees that make up the cost of studying in the US for Indian students, let's examine the cost of studying at Columbia