Columbia University: Rankings, Fees, Eligibility Criteria

If you are thinking about applying to Columbia University? Do you want to know about all the courses offered, fees, scholarships, application process and more? Let us help you answer all the questions you have in this blog. Keep on reading, and let us answer your questions.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in the city of New York. It was established in 1754 as the King's College in Manhattan, and they are among the oldest universities in New York and the fifth oldest in the US. Columbia was established by royal charter under George II and then was renamed Columbia College in 1784 following the American Revolution. Finally, in 1896, it moved to its present-day location of Morningside Heights and was renamed Columbia University! The university has twenty schools, four undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools.

Why should you apply to Columbia University?

One of the major reasons to apply to Columbia since it is one of the most prestigious colleges in the US and is part of the group called Ivy League. Columbia University is also ranked #23 in the world QS ranking. Columbia University also has an acceptance rate of 4.1% and also has a placement rate of 92%. The university is also among the most important research centres in the world. It is also one of the best learning environments for all undergraduate and postgraduate students in any field of study! If you have never dreamt of studying in the US, you must have always thought about studying in one of the colleges that are a part of the Ivy League, and Columbia University is among the best! 

Types of Degrees and Courses Offered at Columbia University

Columbia University offers students undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD degrees in various fields of study. Here are all the courses offered by CU in detail! Graduates of this university hold important positions worldwide, and degrees from this university are recognised by corporations and academic organisations worldwide. Here are the top undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD Columbia University degrees:-  

Undergraduate Degrees

Columbia offers some of the best undergraduate degrees in various fields of study that can lead you to some of the best opportunities. A few popular undergraduate courses students can choose from are: 

1. Applied Mathematics
2. Archaeology
3. Architecture
4. Biology
5. Chemistry
6. Computer Science
7. Data Science
8. Economics
9. English
10. Film and Media Studies
11. History
12. Philosophy
13. Physics
14. Psychology
15. Visual Arts

Postgraduate Degrees

Many students come to Columbia for further education and to boost their careers with the master's programs available. There are many to choose from; here are a few of the popular postgraduate ones: 

1. Actuarial Science
2. Applied Analytics
3. Bioethics
4. Construction Administration
5. Insurance Management
6. Human Capital Management
7. Narrative Medicine
8. Political Analytics
9. Sports Management
10. Sustainability Management
11. Technology Management
12. Wealth Management

Doctorate Programs

You can also complete your Doctorate at Columbia! Here are the popular PhD courses you can apply for:

1. Anthropology
2. Architecture
3. Archaeology
4. Astronomy
5. Biological Sciences
6. Chemical Physics
7. Chemistry
8. Classical Studies
9. Classics

Research Programs

Columbia University has a long history in the discovery of knowledge. They work and foster creative ideas and promote an environment that promotes the highest standards of learning and safety.

Eligibility criteria for Columbia University

The admission requirements for each course vary. You should use the Coursefinder page for a complete list of entry requirements. The following are the basic eligibility requirements for students:

1. A minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or a TOEFL score of 100. You can also use the DET score of 135.
2. An average GPA of 3.5-4.5
3. You must have good competitive exam scores such as:

Documents required to apply at Columbia University

As you will be applying to Columbia Univeristy you will require documentation, course certificates and letters in order to have a smooth application process here are the documents required for undergraduate and postgraduate students:-  

Undergraduate students

As undergraduate students you will need some documentation and certificates to apply for undergraduate courses at Columbia University here are the documents and certificates required for undergraduate students:- 

1. Copies of academic qualifications
2. Proof of English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/DET
3. Personal statement
4. 2 Letters of Recommendations
5. SAT/ACT scores
6. List of achievements
7. Fee waiver

Postgraduate students

As postgraduate students you will need some documentation and certificates to apply for postgraduate courses at Columbia University here are the documents and certificates required for postgraduate students:- 

1. Copies of academic qualifications
2. Statement of purpose or personal essay
3. Letters of Recommendation, some programmes require 3 LORs
4. Resume/CV
5. Video essay
6. Proof of English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/DET
7. Materials related to your program, like portfolios.
8. Additional requirements for international students like visa requirements.

Getting a US student visa can look like a daunting task for many; our blog on USA student visas will help you understand the process!

How to apply to Columbia University?

Columbia University has an acceptance rate of 5.2% which is okay considering that it is an Ivy League college. To be considered for admission, you have to submit an admission application just like you would while applying to any university.

1. Check the requirements and select a course.
2. Use their admissions website to create an applicant account.
3. Fill out the application form and pay the fee of around $85 - $270, which you can pay using various methods.
4. You will also need to submit the documents that we mentioned above along with your application form.
5. After submitting your application and paying the application fees, the college starts processing your application.

How much does it cost to study at Columbia University?

You can expect to pay roughly anywhere around $63,570 as your tuition fees while studying at Columbia. Each course has a different tuition fee, and you can find them on the Coursefinder.

Scholarships provided by Columbia University

There are plenty of scholarships, aids and grants. Like for example, there is no tuition fee applicable for students coming from families with annual incomes less than $150,000! There are many more scholarships and grants since nearly 50% of students receive grants from Columbia, and the average amount awarded is $63,971!

If you want to learn about the scholarships Columbia provides, you can visit their scholarship page to read more! You can also apply for FAFSA to get some more student aid. If you don't know what that is, then you can read our blog on FAFSA, which will explain everything. 

Columbia University's notable alumni

Columbia University has some of the greatest alumni that you will see for a while. The list includes five of the Founding Fathers of The United States, a few Presidents, actors, scientists, famous personalities and many more. Talking all about them would probably take up an entire day. So here are a few notable alumni that many know about.that have made their mark on the world.

1. Theodore Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt Jr. is a former US president who studied Law at the university.
2. Barack Obama: Barack Hussein Obama is another former US president who studied at Columbia and graduated with a degree in Political Science.
3. Warren Buffett: Warren Edward Buffett, an investor, philanthropist and business magnate, graduated with a degree in Master of Science in economics.
4. Timothée Chalamet: Timothée Hal Chalamet, the star of Dune, also studied here but later transferred to New York University to pursue his acting career. He was majoring in cultural anthropology while studying at Columbia.
5. B. R. Ambedkar: Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and the First Minister of Law and Justice, got his PhD in economics here.

We hope we have answered all the questions that you have in this blog. If you are looking for student accommodations next to the university, let us help you out with that as well. Since New York is a city that never sleeps, it would be a city to explore; our city guide can help you with the exploration! You might want to check out Columbia university acceptance rate