New York, NY
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private nonprofit university with an acceptance rate of 4.0% and undergraduate enrollment of 8,973. The university has a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 6-year graduation rate of 95.5%. The cost of attendance is $92,373, with a median earnings of $102,491 ten years after enrollment.
Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4.0% of applicants, making it an extremely selective private nonprofit institution. With a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 95.5% six-year graduation rate, the university demonstrates strong academic support and student success outcomes.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 23,972 | 1,174 | 4.9% | 747 |
| Women | 32,452 | 1,210 | 3.7% | 762 |
Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Columbia University has a cost of attendance of $92,373 annually. With 22.7% of students receiving Pell grants and a substantial $14.8 billion endowment, the institution serves low-income students while maintaining significant financial resources.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $228.
After aid, Columbia University in the City of New York costs $21,590 a year — about 4% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Columbia University has a 95.5% six-year graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $88,535 six years after enrollment and $102,491 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 408 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 240 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 201 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 116 |
| Neuroscience | 104 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 93 |
| History, General | 90 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 81 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 68 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 55 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Columbia University in the City of New York are $98,435, and 86% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Columbia University in the City of New York students earn $88,535 — 95% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Columbia University is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 8,973 students and competes in NCAA Division I-FCS athletics. The university maintains a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 95.5% six-year graduation rate.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
799 of 8,299 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
3 of 9,111 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,455 of 26,168 graduate students.
Columbia University in the City of New York is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and operates its own medical school.
Columbia University in the City of New York spends $59,327 per student on research — about 9× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 10.1 miles from the center of New York. There are 127 other colleges within 25 miles, and New York, NY is 10.1 miles away.
New York County scores 13.8 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 5.1% of New York's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Columbia University in the City of New York reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Columbia University in the City of New York reported 2 arrests and 40 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Columbia University in the City of New York admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Columbia University has an acceptance rate of 4.0%, making it one of the most selective universities in the country. This means admission is highly competitive, and applicants need strong academic credentials and compelling applications to be considered.
The cost of attendance at Columbia University is $92,373 per year. This figure typically includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. Financial aid may significantly reduce this amount depending on your family's income and circumstances.
Yes, Columbia is committed to affordability. Approximately 22.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating strong support for low-income students. The university's substantial $14.8 billion endowment enables generous need-based financial aid packages.
First-generation college students make up 25.0% of Columbia's undergraduate body. This demonstrates the university's commitment to serving students whose parents did not attend college, providing them access to elite education and mentoring.
Columbia University has a 6-year graduation rate of 95.5%, demonstrating exceptional student success. The rate is 97.7% for non-Pell students and 93.1% for Pell grant recipients, showing strong support across all student populations.
Six years after enrollment, Columbia graduates earn a median of $88,535 annually. Ten years after enrollment, this increases to $102,491. These strong earnings reflect the value of a Columbia degree in the job market.
Columbia University has an undergraduate enrollment of 8,973 students, making it a relatively small Ivy League school. This size allows for close relationships between students and faculty, with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Columbia's undergraduate student body is nearly evenly split, with women comprising 49.8% of students. This reflects the university's commitment to gender balance and diversity in its academic community.
Columbia competes in NCAA Division I-FCS with significant athletic investment. The university generates $14.6 million in athletic revenue, supporting numerous varsity teams and intramural programs for student engagement.
Columbia maintains a commitment to access and diversity, serving 25% first-generation and 22.7% Pell-eligible students. Its location in New York City, 95.5% graduation rate, and $14.8 billion endowment support extensive educational opportunities.