Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2023-2026

Columbia University is a private university in the city of New York, USA. It is a private ivy league research institution that began in 1754. Today, we want to talk about the Columbia University acceptance rate.


It was the first King’s College, by a royal charter from King George II of Great Britain in reaction to Princeton College. The college got a change of name in 1784 to Columbia College following the American Revolution.
Initially established on the grounds of Trinity Church, Manhattan, Columbia University is the oldest institution of tertiary education in New York. It is also the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States of America, as well as one of the only nine colonial colleges that were before the Declaration of Independence.

The accomplishments of Columbia University as a tertiary institution cannot be forgotten. The university ranks among the top universities in the world with major education publications. Apart from being one of the oldest in the country, it is also one of the best and the most sought after. This is because the institution is not only old but is also rich in accomplishment.

Columbia University scientists and scholars have played an important role in several scientific breakthroughs including the brain-computer interface. The laser and maser, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear pile are all accomplished by their scientists. The first nuclear fission reaction in the Americas, the first evidence for plate tectonics as well as continental drift. They were involved in most of the initial research and planning for the Manhattan Project during World War II.

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Columbia University Acceptance Rate

Columbia University faculties, courses, and programs.

Columbia University has twenty schools, which are divided into four undergraduate schools as well as 15 graduate schools. The university also has research buildings which include the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, as well as the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The university also has accelerator laboratories with major technology firms such as IBM. Columbia University is also a founding member of the Association of American Universities. It was also the first school in the United States to grant an M.D. degree.

The Columbia University Library is the third-largest private research library in the United States. The university also has the Nicholas Murray Butler Library. Simply known as Butler Library, it is the largest single library in the Columbia University Library System, as well as one of the largest buildings on the campus. As of 2012, the Columbia University library system consists of over 11.9 million volumes. This makes it the eighth-largest library system and fifth-largest college library system in the United States.

Admission Criteria into Columbia University.

Students seeking admission into Columbia University often ask. “What does Columbia University look for when evaluating students for admission?” “What are the criteria for admission into the University?”

The Columbia University freshman year class is a very difficult one to get on. Its students of the College and Engineering are chosen from a large and diverse number of applicants. The university uses a strict pattern in assessing candidates so as to judge which applicants are the best matches for its peculiar educational standard. This makes the acceptance rate really low, particularly in comparison to the number of applicants.

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Every year, the university gets over 30 thousand applicants and admits only a fraction of about 11% per year. In Particular, over 42000 students applied to study in this prestigious institution. However, only slightly above 4400 students got admission. This sticks to the estimated 11% of the applicants to Columbia University who are given admission.

During the initial selection process, the Admissions Committee considers each applicant’s potential. This includes their academic potential, intellectual strength, and ability to think independently. The Committee also pays attention to the attitudes and character of the applicant. They also look out for special abilities, interests, character development, as well as the students’ level of productivity. This process is used to determine if the applicant is fit or not for the school. This is also why Columbia University has a very slim acceptance rate.

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How Columbia University Rates Applicants

The university chooses “those that we feel will take the best benefit of the unique Columbia experience and will provide something valuable in return to the community” through a holistic admissions process. Columbia prioritizes the following six aspects in achieving this goal:

  • Curriculum & grades
  • Context (family and community circumstances)
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character
  • “Fit”
  • Recommendations

Should I Apply to Columbia?

In the end, it is worthwhile to put up the effort and $85 to submit an application if you meet the profile of the typical student admitted at Columbia. The institution rejects 96 out of every 100 applications, and the majority of these people have extraordinary credentials similar to your own. This must be kept in mind. It follows that any teenagers who are applying to this or any other Ivy should likewise have an appropriate mix of “goal” and “safety” institutions on their college list.

Look out for Columbia University Scholarship Opportunities.

Admissions requirements.

Columbia University accepts first-year applications for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. However, all applications have to be for full-time students only.

The university runs several programs including master’s, and bachelor’s degrees in engineering as well as sciences. It also offers business school programs as well as MBA and Ph.D. courses.

The school offers studies such as African studies, American studies as well as East Asian Languages and Cultures.

It also offers Archeology, Architecture as well as Astronomy. The school of sciences offers Biological Sciences, Computer science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, as well as Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. Chemistry, Physics, Economics, as well as Biological Sciences, aren’t left out. It also has a society of Literature, Drama and theater arts, Dance, and Film and Media Studies. Languages such as French, German, Italian, and Roman studies are also available at the university. Ethnicity and Race Studies, French and Romance Philology, Philosophy of Science, as well as Jewish, Latin American, and Middle Eastern studies are also available at the institution. Other courses available include,

  • Business
  • Education
  • History
  • Human Rights
  • Linguistics
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education and Athletics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Visual Arts and more.
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Please visit the school’s website at https://bulletin.columbia.edu/columbia-college/departments-instruction/ to know more about the courses and programs available at the institution.

Campuses at Columbia University.

Columbia University holds most of its graduate and undergraduate programs at Morningside Heights. This is where the university could teach all courses in one location. The university’s main campus occupies more than six city blocks in Morningside Heights, New York City, a neighborhood that consists mostly of a number of academic institutions. The university also owns over 7,800 apartments, which serve as housing for faculty, students, and staff. Over 20 undergraduate dormitories are also located on the campus.
The university also has a campus at 133rd Street, Columbia Manhattanville. This houses buildings for the university’s Business School, School of International and Public Affairs, and the Columbia School of the Arts. It is also home to the Jerome L. Greene Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, where research on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s occurs.

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Student Demographics.

In 2017, Columbia University had over 32000 students as its population. Of this, about 9000 those undergo undergraduate programs, while about 23000 take postgraduate programs.
The university has a very diverse student population. 42% of the student population identify themselves as a minority, while 28% of the students are born outside of the United States. This makes it one of the most socioeconomically diverse top-class universities. This also makes Columbia University one of the universities with the slightest acceptance rate.

Of the entire number of students in the university, only about 38% of all undergraduate students are whites. Black, Asian, as well as Hispanic students, make up another over 37% of its undergraduate students. Non-residents, Native Americans, and people of mixed and unidentified races make up the rest of the students. The same can be said about its post-graduate programs. About 21% of its postgraduate students are African, Asian, and Hispanic. The Whites, nonresidents, and people of mixed races make up the rest of its postgraduate students.

How to make my Columbia University application stand out

You can see what the institution is looking for by taking a look at the impressive list of Lion alumni, which includes the next generation of politicians (Barack Obama), award-winning authors (Langston Hughes, JD Salinger), businesspeople (Robert Kraft, Warren Buffett), and actors and actresses (Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal, Kate McKinnon). Even while your unique ability might make you as well-known as the people named above, it’s still crucial that you create an impression in some manner. You may be the best oboist in your state, the greatest pole vaulter in your area, the winner of a national physics competition, etc.

Moreover, it benefits from being able to stand out among thousands of other people who have 4.4 GPAs and 1550 SAT scores. These are only a few of a million instances.

Athletes, chosen for one of Columbia’s NCAA Division I sports teams also possess a clear edge. Approximately 775 Columbia students are varsity athletes right now. Naturally, these sportsmen must also be quite accomplished in the classroom. An astounding 42% of Columbia athletes reached the Dean’s List in one recent year.

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Tips for Applying to Columbia University

If you want to be one of the 60,000+ applicants to Columbia for the upcoming admissions cycle, you should be aware of the following:

  • Alumni interviews are available worldwide from October through March each year, but Columbia University does not guarantee one. When you apply, an alumni interviewer in your region will receive your information instantly and get in touch with you. Some interviewers, however, are open to holding the conversation over the phone or via Skype.
  • You won’t be evaluated based on whether you visited the campus, spoke with an admissions representative, or anything else because Columbia does not take “demonstrated interest” into account.
  • The additional essays and brief answers that Columbia requires must be given enough time and attention because they are rather lengthy.

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Conclusion

In summary, Columbia University is a highly sought-after and diverse institution with an acceptance rate of only slightly over 11%.  So if you are an aspiring student who has an interest in this institution, endeavor to visit their website https://www.columbia.edu/ to find out more information.

FAQs about Columbia University Acceptance Rate

How competitive is admission to Columbia University?

Admission to both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering is broad but very selective, with the Committee on Admissions only admitting a tiny percentage of all candidates. Columbia evaluates candidates holistically in order to determine which students are the greatest matches for Columbia’s unique educational experience. For your convenience, a profile of the current first-year class is provided.

What is the minimum test score, class rank, or GPA required for admission?

There is no “cut-off” GPA or test score for candidates at Columbia. Columbia evaluates candidates holistically in order to determine which students are the greatest matches for Columbia’s unique educational experience.

Is there a maximum of students admitted from a region, country, or school?

No, Columbia aims to admit students from a variety of economic, social, and geographic backgrounds who have exceptional accomplishments and talents. Over 110 different nations and all 50 states are represented among their undergraduate students. There are no quotas for any specific demographic (i.e., race, ethnicity, religion, state, etc.).

Should I apply for an Early Decision?

If Columbia is your top choice and you are willing to make a legally binding commitment to attend if accepted, consider applying for an Early Decision.

What GPA do you need to go to Columbia?

A GPA of at least 4.12 is also required. You must make up the difference if your GPA is below this with a better SAT/ACT score. You’ll also need to make an impression on them with the remainder of your application for a school like Columbia University, which is very selective.

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