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Columbia University in the City of New York

Private

New York, NY

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Columbia University in the City of New York is a private large school in New York, NY, enrolling about 8,973 undergraduates. Columbia University in the City of New York is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 4%. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer Engineering (Engineering), where graduates report median earnings of $194,365/year four years out. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate4%
SAT range1510–1580
ACT range34–35
Undergrads8,973
Yield (admits who enroll)64%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$89,472
4-year grad rate96%
Median earnings, 10yr out$102,491

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Columbia University in the City of New York weighs your application

From Columbia University in the City of New York's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankImportant
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewVery important
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationVery important
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceVery important
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Very important
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans14%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out76%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Area Studies$96,884/yr
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$55,472/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$70,244/yr
Biology, General$53,698/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$188,265/yr
Engineering
Computer Engineering$194,365/yr
Operations Research$167,572/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$143,332/yr
Mechanical Engineering$111,491/yr
Civil Engineering$108,246/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$59,396/yr
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$47,702/yr
History
History$98,079/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$99,679/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$117,252/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Sustainability Studies$85,545/yr
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy$56,885/yr
Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology$86,946/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$137,710/yr
Sociology$101,536/yr
Political Science and Government$100,245/yr
Anthropology$83,493/yr
Social Sciences, Other$65,085/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts, Other$46,535/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity13,109
Typical room charge$9,986
Typical board charge$6,300

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankRequired
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Columbia University in the City of New York look for in applicants?

Per Columbia University in the City of New York's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates standardized test scores, application essay, work experience, first generation, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, character/personal qualities, interview, level of interest (demonstrated interest) as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Columbia University in the City of New York's acceptance rate?

Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY admits approximately 4% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Columbia University in the City of New York?

Admitted students at Columbia University in the City of New York typically score between 1510–1580 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Columbia University in the City of New York?

Admitted students at Columbia University in the City of New York typically score between 34–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Columbia University in the City of New York cost?

Columbia University in the City of New York's total cost of attendance is reported at $89,472 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Columbia University in the City of New York?

Columbia University in the City of New York's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Columbia University in the City of New York require students to live on campus?

No -- Columbia University in the City of New York doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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