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Can you get into Columbia University in the City of New York?

New York, NY · Private · 8,973 students Here is the class that got in, and where your numbers land inside it.

Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.

The admitted class · 2024

What it took to get in

Acceptance rate

4.0%

SAT middle 50%

1510–1580

median 1520

ACT middle 50%

34–35

median 35

Testing

optional

44% submitted an SAT

Graduation rate

96%

within six years

Reported by the college

What Columbia University in the City of New York actually reads

Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It is the most useful thing they say about admissions and almost nobody reads it, because knowing that an essay is very important here and class rank is not considered changes where the work should go.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Class rank
    • Essay
    • Recommendations

  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Test scores
    • Legacy
    • Work experience

From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Columbia University in the City of New York considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it does not ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set we use that instead.

Real cost · 2024 data

What families actually pay

The sticker price is $89,472, but almost nobody pays it. Average net price at Columbia University in the City of New York by family income, after grants and scholarships:

  • Under $30k$4,570
  • $30k–$48k$2,275
  • $48k–$75k$5,866
  • $75k–$110k$11,782
  • Over $110k$50,621

U.S. Department of Education data: average net price per year for aided first-time students. Your number depends on your family’s finances.

Keep going

More on Columbia University in the City of New York

Full Columbia University in the City of New York profileColumbia University in the City of New York essay prompts (6)Build your whole list

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Common questions

Columbia University in the City of New York admissions, answered

What is Columbia University in the City of New York's acceptance rate?

Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4.0% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).

What SAT score do you need for Columbia University in the City of New York?

The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1510 and 1580. A score above 1580 clears the 75th percentile; below 1510, the rest of the application has to carry more weight.

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

Yes, Columbia University in the City of New York is currently test-optional. Submit a score if it falls inside or above the admitted middle 50%.

What does Columbia University in the City of New York look for in an application?

Columbia University in the City of New York reports that it weighs grades, course rigor, class rank, essay, recommendations most heavily. Anything it lists as not considered is worth knowing too, because effort spent there does not count here.

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

Sticker price is $89,472, but the average family pays $21,590 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $4,570 per year on average.

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