“Every day I learn something new about this campus. There is an energy and sense of community that I love.”
Veronica M. Paterson, NJ Computer Engineering
“You’re never bored. Exhibits, book stores, cafes and restaurants, movie theatres, parks. Just take a stroll. The opportunities are limitless, in all senses of the word. We are endlessly enriched by New York.”
Christopher T. Beirut, Lebanon Urban Studies and Visual Arts
“You aren’t just getting a formal education—you learn from the city itself, and come out with skills that cannot be taught.”
Andy G. Pasadena, TX Undecided
“The Core Curriculum helps me to relate all of my different courses, and to see how useful a multidisciplinary thought process can be when coming up with solutions to today’s most meaningful problems.”
Brian O. Mathematics-Statistics and
Sociology
Norfolk, Massachusetts
“I came to Columbia because I fell in love with the way that a traditional liberal arts education mixes with the contemporary and STEM felds.”
Tristan D. Craig, AK Architecture and
French
“Being surrounded by people both so similar to and so different from myself has only enriched my understanding of myself and the role that I hope to play in the world.”
BUNMI F.
Powder Springs, GA
Biomedical Engineering and Hispanic Studies
“Studying in the epicenter of the universe enhances the collegiate experience a hundredfold.”
Anthony A. San Diego, CA Computer Science
“My favorite thing about the Columbia community is how supportive and encouraging students are of each other. I’m so grateful to be a part of a community that wants to see me succeed in every way!”
Kaitlyn B. Tuxedo, NY Applied Mathematics
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the ffth oldest in the US. Our undergraduates make up one of the most diverse and multifaceted student populations of any university—a community of citizens ready to contribute to the campus, the city, and the world.
Our idyllic traditional campus offers guaranteed housing in close-knit residence halls. Undergraduates enjoy frequent encounters with friends and faculty mentors throughout the day—from the labs and classrooms to the alwaysbustling student center and over a dozen dining facilities. It’s no wonder nearly all students live at Columbia for all four years here.
Full of cafes, parks, and bookstores all within a short walk, bikeshare, bus, or subway ride, Morningside Heights has the feel of a classic college town within the larger city. It’s a warm, welcoming environment with a friendly face on every corner (including many of your professors).
Whether you apply to Columbia College or The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (Columbia Engineering), you’ll join a community of talented, motivated learners—and become an integral part of the University ecosystem that thrives around you.
New York City is a place unlike anywhere on Earth, and Columbia students have an unparalleled opportunity to make the most of it— from internships and research at worldleading organizations, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship to endless options for arts, culture and involvement.
Students at Columbia College and Columbia Engineering share Core classes and live together on a vibrant campus, where students, faculty and researchers from Columbia University’s 18 graduate and professional schools— spanning business, medicine, law, architecture, social work, public health and more—all co-mingle and collaborate.
“Columbia is a place where you can actively talk with, have classes with, and be friends with people from literally all over the world...”
Oscar G. Mt. Pleasant, SC
Computer Science and East Asian Studies
Nowhere but here does your classroom extend up and down Broadway and around the world.
The Core Curriculum is a defning element of a Columbia education—a communal learning experience that brings all undergraduates together to explore new ideas in small, discussion-style seminars, immersing the whole campus in thoughtful engagement with the same texts at the same time. Columbia Engineering students beneft from the liberal arts experience by taking part of the Core Curriculum as well as their own engineering requirements.
Comprised of non-disciplinary courses taught by interdisciplinary faculty, the Core informs and enriches your chosen program of study and your worldview. You’ll be challenged to refect on your values, adjust your perspective, and develop habits of mind that will serve you well throughout your life.
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia, not your ability to pay for it. If cost is a concern, we encourage you to apply for fnancial aid through our need-based program. Students are often surprised by how much they receive—and, in many instances, Columbia can be more affordable than public colleges and universities.
No Loans
INCLUDED IN FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES AT COLUMBIA
$0
PARENT CONTRIBUTION FOR STUDENTS FROM FAMILIES WITH TOTAL INCOMES UNDER $66,OOO
$77,163
AVERAGE AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS AWARDED
“My favorite place to hang out on campus is the Quad in front of John Jay. It was the frst place I sat with my new friends during orientation, and eating dinner there in spring and fall with those same friends never fails to feel special.”
William S. Paris, France Applied Mathematics
From 500+ clubs to a calendar flled with community events both large and small, you’ll discover countless ways to connect, interact, and make your mark. Engaging with classmates from every state and more than 140 countries, you’ll forge lasting relationships, experience time-honored traditions, and fnd a sense of belonging all your own.
Columbia College
Areas of study
African American and Diaspora
Studies
American Studies
Ancient Studies
Anthropology
Applied
Mathematics
Archaeology
Architecture
Art History
Art History and Visual Arts
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Biochemistry
Biology
Biophysics
Business
Management
Catalan Chemical Physics
Chemistry
Classical Studies
Classics
Climate and Sustainability
Climate System Science
Cognitive Science
Comparative Literature and Society Computer Science Computer Science—
Writing
Drama and Theatre
and Space
Ethnicity and Race Studies
Evolutionary
Biology of the Human Species
Film and Media Studies
Financial Economics
French and Francophone Studies
German Literature and Cultural History
Hellenic Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
Human Rights
Information Science
Italian
Jewish Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Studies
Linguistics
Mathematics Mathematics—
Statistics
Medical Humanities
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Middle East, South Asian and African Studies
Music
Neuroscience and Behavior
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Political Science—
Statistics
Portuguese Studies
Psychology
Public Health
Regional Studies
Religion
Russian Language and Culture
Russian Literature and Culture
Sociology
Statistics
Sustainable
Development
Urban Studies
Urban Teaching
Visual Arts
Women’s and Gender Studies
Yiddish Studies
Columbia Engineering
Areas of Study
Analytics
Applied
Mathematics
Applied Physics
Biomedical
Engineering
Chemical
Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer
Engineering
Computer Science
Earth and Environmental
Engineering
Electrical
Engineering
Engineering
Management
Systems
Engineering
Mechanics
Financial
Engineering
Industrial
Engineering
Materials Science
Mechanical
Engineering
Mining
Engineering
Operations Research
Admissions
Our admissions process is a holistic and contextual one, which means that every part of the application matters in our review. Please visit our website for information about our selection criteria, recommended secondary school preparation, admissions statistics, and details on our decision plans.
FINANCIAL AID
Cost shouldn't be a barrier to making the most of Columbia's opportunities. Our approach to affordability is simple: need-based. Need-blind. Full need. No loans. From your residence hall to the Center for Career Education, there are resources on campus to allow you to take advantage of everything Columbia has to offer. Visit https:// undergrad. admissions. columbia.edu/ affordability for more information.
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Total cost of attendance for the 2025–2026 academic year is $96,260
Tuition and fees: $73,450
Housing and meals: $18,680
Books and personal expenses: $4,130
First-year students are also charged a one-time orientation and documents fee: $730
APPLYING TO COLUMBIA
You can apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering by using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. To allow our Committee on Admissions to get to know you better, we also ask you to complete a series of Columbia-specifc questions. Columbia is test-optional; our complete application requirements are online.
Important Dates
Admissions application due Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Financial aid application due
Early Decision: November 15
Regular Decision: February 15
Decisions released
Early Decision: Mid-December
Regular Decision: By April 1