Columbia University in the City of New York

Getting in is the hard part. Columbia University in the City of New York admitted 4.0% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Columbia University in the City of New York actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

The century-old Core Curriculum grounds every undergrad in the seminal works of human thought.

The Core Curriculum is required of all undergraduates.

• The CoreLiterature · Philosophy · Science · Art
• 17 ABET majorsBiomedical · Financial · Mechanical
• Dual-degree programsSciences Po · Trinity Dublin · Tel Aviv

Verified from undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu and cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu.

• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from columbia.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• List the titles of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy.

  Up to 100 words

• Tell us about an aspect of your life so far or your lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's multidimensional and collaborative environment.

  Up to 150 words

• At Columbia, students representing a wide range of perspectives are invited to live and learn together. In such a community, questions and debates naturally arise. Please describe a time when you did not agree with someone and discuss how you engaged with them and what you took away from the interaction.

  Up to 150 words

• In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not anticipate. Please describe a situation in which you have navigated through adversity and discuss how you changed as a result.

  Up to 150 words

• Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

  Up to 150 words

• What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering?

  Up to 150 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from columbia.edu.

The sticker price is about $89,472, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $21,590.

Need-blind for US applicants; meets 100% of need with no merit aid — all aid is need-based.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $102,491.

Verified from columbia.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Intimate yet global — a college town nestled in the world's greatest city.”

Upper West Side, beside Riverside Park and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; the whole city by subway.

Is Columbia University in the City of New York test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Columbia University in the City of New York is optional.

How hard is it to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?

Very hard. Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4.0% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1510 to 1580 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does Columbia University in the City of New York cost?

The list price is about $89,472, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $21,590. Columbia University in the City of New York meets full demonstrated financial need.

Is Columbia University in the City of New York worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $102,491 ten years after enrolling, and 96% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.