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Columbia University
  • 4 Year
  • NEW YORK, NY
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CollegeGrad School
Columbia University
#6 in Best Colleges in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • NEW YORK, NY
  • 1,334 reviews
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    Columbia University Campus Life

    Housing

    Dorms
    A minus
    Based on housing cost, capacity, student reviews and additional factors.
    On-Campus Housing Available
    Yes
    Freshmen Required to Live on Campus
    No
    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    98%
    Undergrads in College Housing
    Average Housing Cost
    $9,450 / year
    Poll
    59%
    of students say overall dorm quality is great. 337 responses
    Poll
    56%
    of students say the dorms' social atmosphere is great. 120 responses
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    Food

    Campus Food
    A minus
    Based on meal plan cost and student reviews on the food.
    Meal Plan Available
    Yes
    Average Meal Plan Cost
    $6,000 / year
    Poll
    What are the best food options on campus?
    Based on 169 responses
    • JJ's Place
      19%
    • John Jay
      18%
    • Ferris Booth
      15%
    • Cafe East
      11%
    • Ferris Pasta Bar
      10%
    • Joe's Cafe
      8%
    • Cafe 212
      7%
    59%
    of students highly rate the dining facilities. 111 responses

    Campus Quality

    Campus
    A
    Based on quality of housing, food services, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Life
    A+
    Based on campus diversity, social scene, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Poll
    What is your overall opinion of your school and the campus community?
    Based on 83 responses
    • I love everything about my school and have a lot of campus pride.
      39%
    • I like mostly everything about my school, but there are some things I wish were different.
      49%
    • The school community is okay-we're all just here for an education, nothing more.
      10%
    • I hate my school and have no school spirit.
      2%

    Safety

    Safety
    B
    Based on crimes on campus, local area crime rates, and student reviews.
    Poll
    92%
    of students say they feel extremely safe and secure on campus. 83 responses
    Poll
    How does peer pressure affect students' use of drugs and alcohol?
    Based on 61 responses
    • You can have a great social life without drugs or alcohol.
      46%
    • Most people partake in some form, but no one treats you differently if you don't.
      44%
    • You'll definitely feel a little awkward if you don't drink.
      8%
    • If you don't partake, you're left out.
      2%
    Poll
    How visible are the campus police on campus?
    Based on 66 responses
    • Extremely present and willing to assist students.
      26%
    • There if you need them but not overbearing.
      65%
    • Just there to bust up parties or give out parking tickets.
      2%
    • Not very visible.
      6%
    • We have campus police?
      2%

    Sports

    Poll
    How popular are varsity sports on campus?
    Based on 147 responses
    • Almost everything on campus revolves around them.
      3%
    • Varsity sports are a big part of campus life.
      10%
    • Varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.
      57%
    • No one pays attention to varsity sports.
      31%
    Men's Varsity Sports
    All Track Combined, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field: Indoor, Track and Field: Outdoor, Track and Field: X-Country, WaterPolo, Wrestling
    Women's Varsity Sports
    Archery, Basketball, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field: Indoor, Track and Field: Outdoor, Track and Field: X-Country, Volleyball

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs Offered
    Campus Ministries, Dance, Drama/Theater, Film Society, International Student Organizations, Literary Magazine, Newspaper, Radio Station, Yearbook
    Music
    Choral Groups, Jazz Band, Musical Theater, Music Ensembles
    Poll
    What are your favorite campus events or traditions?
    Based on 66 responses
    • Tree Lighting Ceremony
      30%
    • Bacchanal
      24%
    • Orgo Night/Primal Scream/Campus-Wide Pillow Fight
      18%
    • Varsity Show
      14%
    • Football games
      3%
    • Homecoming
      3%
    • Low Steps Sledding
      3%
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    Party Scene

    Party Scene
    A minus
    Based on access to bars and student reviews on the party scene.
    Poll
    What is the party scene like on campus?
    Based on 106 responses
    • Tons of raging parties almost any night of the week.
      5%
    • Lots of options Wednesday-Saturday.
      29%
    • Some decent frat/house parties, weekends only.
      25%
    • Good parties are few and far between.
      19%
    • Parties? What parties?
      22%
    Poll
    What is the biggest social event of the year?
    Based on 51 responses
    • Bachannal
      78%
    • Graduation
      8%
    • Homecoming
      6%
    • We don't party
      4%
    • Halloween
      2%
    • I dont know
      2%

    Greek Life

    Men in Fraternities
    Women in Sororities
    40%
    of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene. 126 responses
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