A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A+
  2. Value
    A+
  3. Diversity
    A+
  4. Campus
    A-
  5. Athletics
    B
  6. Party Scene
    A-
  7. Professors
    A+
  8. Location
    A
  9. Dorms
    B
  10. Campus Food
    A
  11. Student Life
    A+
  12. Safety
    B-
View Full Report Card
Columbia University is ...
Private not-for-profit
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FCS
Athletic Conference
Ivy Group
Address
West 116 St and Broadway
New York, NY 10027
Website
columbia.edu

Columbia University Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate
7%
Application Deadline
—
SAT Range
1380-1570
ACT Range
31-35
Application Fee
$85
SAT/ACT
Required
High School GPA
Recommended
Will You Get In?

Test Scores and GPA for Columbia University

Cost

Net Price
$17,678/ year
National
$15,403
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $7,169/ year
  • $30-48k
    $4,702/ year
  • $49-75k
    $8,540/ year
  • $76-110k
    $16,018/ year
  • $110k+
    $37,520/ year

Academics

Professors
A+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
6:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
87%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.91 responses
66%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.82 responses
34%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.82 responses

Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Economics
    309 Graduates
  • Political Science and Government
    229 Graduates
  • Nursing
    214 Graduates
  • Computer Science
    171 Graduates
  • Research and Experimental Psychology
    149 Graduates
  • History
    91 Graduates
  • English
    88 Graduates
  • Biology
    85 Graduates
  • Mathematics & Statistics
    74 Graduates
  • Neuroscience and Neurobiology
    74 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
7,523Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
15%
Pell Grant
18%
Varsity Athletes
10%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 45 responses
Report
  • Extremely bright and motivated
    36%
  • All of the above.
    24%
  • Competitive
    22%
  • Diligent
    9%
  • Pressured
    4%
  • Smart
    4%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
98%
Poll
41%
of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.97 responses
Poll
60%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.118 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 51 responses
Report
  • Challenging
    61%
  • Passionate
    20%
  • Eye-opening
    10%
  • Forceful.
    4%
  • Fun
    4%
  • Boring
    2%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$72,900/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
95%
National
48%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
90%
National
83%
88%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.52 responses
Colleges like Columbia University
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Columbia University Reviews

1,091 reviews
All Categories
Overall, I was disappointed with my experience at Columbia University. Many of the professors delivered disjointed, uninteresting lectures lacking in breadth and depth. The two courses I took at the Teacher’s College, one focused on educational research methods and the other on Critical Race Theory, turned out to be the most formative in helping me complete my thesis which was really the only product I had to show for my entire time there. While the advisement sessions on my thesis were moderately helpful, I figured out much of how to conduct my thesis on my own. Although I concede that my experience might have been slightly different had I not been a commuter student, the university and its faculty, nevertheless, did not meet up to my expectations. The anthropology department seems more invested in its PhD students than its Master’s students and I, for one, certainly did not advance my career prospects by attending this university.
Review Columbia University
I have found my experience at Columbia to have been one of endless discovery. In this review I will focus on the Core Curriculum, which all students in the College and the School of Engineering take in one way or another. Although there is a valid claim to the antiquity of the texts themselves, Columbia's teaching and discursive methodology is second-to-none. The way I see it, there is universal value in being well-read; it is a prerequisite for engaging with the world in meaningful terms outside of what one might experience through their personal spheres. Even those who may oppose aspects of the Core -- as I have at times -- have plenty of options to respond creatively. The curriculum may appear rigid at first, but as Columbia teaches us, knowledge at face-value is nothing gained. The Core Curriculum was the most flexible aspect of my education, because there was always the lingering question of how I would bend it towards my will in hopes of doing good for this world.
One of the main things that I like about Columbia is the exposure to the alumni network after graduation. There are a lot of alumni groups that get together to network and there are reciprocal alumni organization with other universities. Columbia's location is also amazing and the campus is beautiful!