Overview
Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, Columbia University is renowned for its prestigious Core Curriculum, which includes interdisciplinary courses in literature, philosophy, history, and more. Columbia also administers the Pulitzer Prizes, which recognize excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition.
There are currently 8,899 undergraduates at Columbia and the school’s acceptance rate is 4%. The tuition at Columbia is $69,045.
University
City
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$89,587
$69,439
$20,148
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$89,587The sticker price at Columbia is $89,587. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Columbia would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Columbia University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Columbia you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Columbia is 002707 and the CSS Profile Code is 2095.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Columbia
If you are a New York State resident considering Columbia, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more New York scholarshipsColumbia University QuestBridge Scholarships
Columbia is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Columbia University through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Columbia University’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Columbia meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Columbia
Columbia is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Columbia's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Columbia University
21% of students at Columbia University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Columbia. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Columbia University Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Columbia, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 212-854-3711
Admissions
4%
35
1518
Coalition Colleges
Columbia is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Columbia via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Columbia have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Columbia University includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Columbia's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Columbia Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Columbia test-optional?
Columbia University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Columbia?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Columbia University. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Columbia?
Early Decision I
Regular Decision
Is Columbia University need-blind?
Yes, Columbia University has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
6:1
Graduation Rate
95%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
27%
27% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
15%
15% of graduates
Engineering
13%
13% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
History
5%
5% of graduates
Mathematics
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
4%
4% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
8,899
Pell Grant 23%
Undergrad Students Over 25 14%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 7%
Percent Male / Female 50% / 50%
Ethnic Diversity at Columbia
30% White
18% Asian / Pacific Islander
18% International / Non-Citizen
16% Hispanic
8% Black
6% Multiracial
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$102,491
Median Debt $21,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $228
Graduation Rate 95%
What is the graduation rate at Columbia University?
95% of students who start at Columbia University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 37% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Columbia University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Columbia University is $102,491. This is $52,100 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Columbia University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Columbia take out in loans?
Graduates of Columbia take out a median of $21,500 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Columbia University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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