Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2024, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition

Columbia University is one of the best institutions in the world, but its acceptance rate is more selective than most universities.

If you have ever wondered why Columbia University is extremely selective in its admission process, then you should read this article for insight and facts regarding the university’s acceptance rate.

Since its inception over 260 years ago, Colombia University has been devoted to providing top-quality education and leading innovation in technological research and advancement.

Columbia University offers a wide range of degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. At Columbia, you will find your preferred field of study with faculty members ready to take you through engaging classes and research.

However, getting into Columbia University is quite difficult as its acceptance rate is in the single digits. Thousands of applicants from the United States and beyond apply to enrol in programs at different levels each year. The admitted applicants are those with excellent grades that meet the required standards at Columbia University.

About Columbia University

According to Wikipedia, Columbia University is a private research institution in New York City, New York. The university was established in 1754, the oldest institution in New York and the fifth oldest in the United States.

Columbia University’s main campus sits on 299 acres, with an enrollment of over 34,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia University offers decorative degree programs at different levels through twenty-one schools.

The university is arguably one of the best in the world and has graduated notable alumni such as U.S. presidents, world leaders, Nobel laureates, Academy Award winners, and Pulitzer Prize winners.

Also Read: Columbia University, Columbia Student Portal Login: ssol.columbia.edu

Schools at Columbia University

These are the schools and colleges at Columbia University that offer degree programs at different levels.

Columbia College
Columbia Engineering
School of General Studies
Columbia Business School
College of Dental Medicine
Columbia Climate School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Journalism School
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
Graduate School of Art and Science
School of Social Work
School of Professional Studies
School of Nursing
School of International and Publica Affairs
Mailman School of Public Health
Vagelos Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons
Bernard College
Jewish Theological Seminary
Teachers College
Union Theological Seminary

Columbia University Rankings

According to U.S. News & World Report, Columbia University is ranked #12 in National Universities and #19 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.

Columbia University is ranked #23 on the list of the world’s top 100 universities according to QS World University Rankings. And #17 on world university rankings by Times Higher Education.

Also Read: Columbia School of Social Work Acceptance Rate

Columbia University Acceptance Rate

As one of the Ivy elites, Columbia University is not an exception. As of the fall of the previous admission period, the acceptance rate at Columbia University was 3.72% which is extremely selective.

Columbia University recently announced it offered admission to 2,246 students. The newly admitted students were selected from an applicant pool of 57,129. This was the third-largest applicant pool in the school’s history.

The new students were offered admission into Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The new students are part of Columbia’s class of 2027.

The admission statistics released by Columbia University show an acceptance rate of 3.9%, which is extremely selective.

GPA Requirement at Columbia University

Columbia is a very selective private research institution that admits applicants with good grades and perfect test scores. Their average GPA requirement according to Prepscholar.com is 4.15.

SAT Requirement

Although Columbia University may not require standardised tests, the school might suggest you self-report your test score. They expect all first-year applicants to submit an average SAT score of 1524.

ACT Requirement

On the ACT, Columbia University requires an average score of 35.

Application Requirements at Columbia University

For a successful application to Columbia University, you are required to provide essential documents which include a school report, recommendation letters, application fee, etc.

Application Requirements for First-Year Applicants

All first-year applicants who want to apply to Columbia University are required to provide the following.

Application Platforms

Columbia University accepts applications from three application platforms. You can apply via the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application. The QuestBridge application is for students named as QuestBridge Finalists.

Columbia-Specific Application Questions

The Columbia-specific questions are requirements you must respond to. By completing the Columbia-specific questions, you will provide the admission committee at Columbia with personal details about your character and intellectual interests. The admission committee at Columbia is interested to know about your involvement in the community and why Columbia University is your preference.

Application Fee or Waiver Fee

Columbia University demands that you pay a non-refundable application fee of $85. You can pay the application fee online with a credit card.

Secondary School Report

Ask your school counsellor or other officials at your school to submit your secondary school report with an official transcript. These documents must be submitted online.

Counsellor Recommendation

Columbia University demands a recommendation letter from your school counsellor and must be submitted online.

Teacher Recommendations

Ask two teachers who have taught you in core subjects to write a recommendation letter for you.

If you are an engineering applicant, Columbia University requires that the recommendation letter come from a math or science teacher.

Mid Year Report

Mid-year reports are required due to some of the courses in your senior year might be unavailable during application.

Please note that these first-year application requirements are for applicants who intend to enrol on a full-time basis in Columbia Engineering or Columbia College.

For more specific information on application requirements at Columbia University, you can visit the school’s official website.

Application Requirements for International Applicants

Despite the acceptance rate at Columbia, thousands of applications received at the university are from international applicants. Statistics from the last cycle of Early Decision and Regular Decision show that applicants from 101 countries were among the newly admitted students in the class of 2027.

The first-year application requirements at Columbia University are the same for international applicants. However, applicants who are non-native English speakers are required to take an English proficiency test.

Englis Proficiency Requirement for International Applicants

Columbia University demands that all applicants must be fluent in English for easy interaction and understanding when receiving instructions in class.

You can show your proficiency in the English language on your application by;

Indicating that your home language is English.
You attended a secondary school where instructions are offered in the English language.
Prove that you have earned one or more of these subsection scores.
#1. A score of 29 or more on the English or Reading sections of the ACT.
#2. A score of 700 or more on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT.

Once you have met one or more of these criteria above, you have successfully fulfilled the English language proficiency requirements at Columbia University.

Failure to meet these requirements, you will have to take the following English proficiency exams.

TOEFL
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
TOEFL IPT Plus for China
IELTS
Duolingo English Test

Also Read: 10 Cheap Universities in Canada to study almost for free

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Columbia University

The acceptance rate at Columbia University is extremely selective and only a few of the thousands of applications received were admitted.

#1. Apply via Early Decision

According to statistics, the acceptance rate for Early Decision at Columbia University is 11.3% considerably less selective when compared to the overall admit rate. An application via Early Decision increases your chances of getting into Columbia.

However, applying through Early Decision means getting fewer financial aid packages. For information regarding application dates and deadlines, you can visit the official website of Columbia University.

#2. Obtain a High GPA While Taking Hard Class

Columbia University’s GPA requirement is highly selective. You will need to be at the top of your class to compete with thousands of applicants.

However, you can take hard AP or IB classes to convince the admission committee at Columbia University of your candidacy.

#3. Write Interesting Essays

The application readers at Columbia University want to know about your intellectual curiosity, sense of person, and character. You can write unique essays in your voice to prove you are a worthy candidate to be considered.

Also Read: How to get into an Ivy League School and their Acceptance Rate

Columbia University Tuition and Fees

Columbia University’s cost of attendance which incorporates tuition and fees, room, book, supplies, and expenses, is estimated at over $88,000.

Here are the stats for the cost of attendance at Columbia University.

Tuition and fees:	$68,400
New student fees	$645
Room and board	$16,800
Books and personal	$3,742
The total cost of attendance	$89,587

Source: https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/affordability/cost

Is Columbia University a Good School?

Columbia University is one of the best and most prestigious institutions in the world. The university offers decorative degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

Columbia University is leading the innovation in technology advancement through scientific research that has led to breakthroughs in brain-computer interface and nuclear magnetic resonance.

At Columbia University, you will find your preferred field of study in a school filled with qualified faculty members to take you through engaging classes and research.

Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Business In New York

Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia University?

The acceptance rate at Columbia University is extremely selective as only 3.9% of its total applicants are admitted. However, you can increase your chances of getting into Columbia University by applying via Early Decision.

Columbia University Contact Address

School Address: New York, NY 10027, United States
Phone: +1 212-854-1754

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at Columbia University.

What GPA do you need to get into Columbia?

To increase your chances of admission into Columbia University, you will need a GPA of 4.12 or above. If your GPA is below the standard at Columbia University, you can take hard AP or IB classes to convince the admission committee at Columbia of your candidacy.

What is the acceptance rate at Columbia University?

The recent acceptance rate for the class of 2027 is 3.9% which is very competitive. You can apply via Early Decision, as the admit rate for ED stands at 11.3%.

Is Columbia an Ivy?

Yes! Columbia University is among the Ivy League.

The Ivy elites include Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

Conclusion

Columbia University is one of the best universities in the world with a touch of prestige and uniqueness.

The acceptance rate at Columbia University for the class of 2026 is very selective and if you want to stay in the race of becoming the next freshman at Columbia, get the best grades available in your class.

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References

U.S News & World Report: Columbia University
TopUniversities: Columbia University
Times Higher Education: Columbia University
Undergraduate.admissions.columbia: Columbia Announces Class of 2027 Admissions Decisions