Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University in the City of New York is a highly selective private research university in New York, New York, serving roughly 8,973 students. Admission is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of about 3.99% in federal reporting data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $102,491 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $71,845
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,590 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 3.99% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,973 93.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 96.10%
- Average SAT Score: 1553
Columbia University in the City of New York: what the data shows
Common questions about Columbia University in the City of New York, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Columbia University in the City of New York?
Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (ZIP 10027).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York public or private?
Columbia University in the City of New York is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Columbia University in the City of New York cost?
Published tuition: $71,845.
Average net price after aid: $21,590.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $4,570 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $2,275 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $5,866 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,782 |
| $110,001+ | $50,621 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $287,380.
How hard is it to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?
Admission rate: 3.99%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1553 and midpoint ACT 35.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Columbia University in the City of New York?
Total enrollment: 8,973 students.
About 93% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia University in the City of New York?
150%-time completion rate: 96.10%.
First-year retention: 98.0%.
What do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York earn?
Median earnings: $88,535 six years after entry; $102,491 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
22.71% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Columbia University in the City of New York known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Other/Unknown Programs (16,416 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, Other (1,626 completions)
- Computer Science (919 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (720 completions)
- Social Work (562 completions)
- Law (JD) (523 completions)
- General Economics (458 completions)
- Public Administration (409 completions)
- CIP 270501 (401 completions)
- Personal Awareness and Self-Improvement (388 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 3.99%; completion rate 96.10%; median earnings $102,491 at 10 years; net price $21,590. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Costs
Tuition Costs
$71,845
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia University in the City of New York was $71,845.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,590
2024 Value
In 2024 Columbia University in the City of New York had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,590.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$86,360 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,590 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$287,380 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Columbia University in the City of New York.
Financial Aid by Income Level
22.71% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
13.71% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Columbia University in the City of New York was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Columbia University in the City of New York in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $49,138 | $49,138 | $22,672 |
| 2014 | $51,008 | $51,008 | $22,298 |
| 2015 | $53,000 | $53,000 | $21,031 |
| 2016 | $55,056 | $55,056 | $22,001 |
| 2017 | $57,208 | $57,208 | $24,231 |
| 2018 | $59,430 | $59,430 | $22,637 |
| 2019 | $61,788 | $61,788 | $23,306 |
| 2020 | $61,671 | $61,671 | $22,823 |
| 2021 | $63,530 | $63,530 | $12,836 |
| 2022 | $66,139 | $66,139 | $23,497 |
| 2023 | $69,045 | $69,045 | $20,148 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
3.99% Acceptance Rate
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1553
ACT Average: 35
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2024 is 8,973 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
98.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
80.95% 100% Completion Time
96.10% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 80.95% of students graduating from Columbia University in the City of New York completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Columbia University in the City of New York.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$102,491 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
20.98% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1086.79% Return on Investment
2.1 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Columbia University in the City of New York.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
Business Administration and Management, Other: 1,626 completions
Computer Science: 919 completions
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services: 720 completions
Social Work: 562 completions
Law (JD): 523 completions
General Economics: 458 completions
Public Administration: 409 completions
CIP 27.0501: 401 completions
Personal Awareness and Self-Improvement: 388 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 16,416 completions
Most popular programs at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Columbia University in the City of New York graduates.
About
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private non-profit institution located in New York, NY, offering 181 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 8,973 students. It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 3.99%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1553. The institution maintains a 96.10% graduation rate. Approximately 22.71% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Location
New York, NY 10027
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 96.10% graduation rate, Columbia University in the City of New York demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates report median earnings of $102,491 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 181 distinct degree programs, Columbia University in the City of New York provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
FAQ
How much does Columbia University in the City of New York cost?
Reported in-state tuition is $71,845 and average net price is $21,590 in the latest College Scorecard data.
How hard is it to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?
The admission rate is 4.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data.
What test scores do students need for Columbia University in the City of New York?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Columbia University in the City of New York reports midpoint SAT about 1553 and midpoint ACT about 35.
What do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York earn?
Median earnings are $88,535 six years after entry and $102,491 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia University in the City of New York?
The 150%-time completion rate is 96.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Columbia University in the City of New York students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
How big is Columbia University in the City of New York?
Total enrollment is about 8,973 students in the latest reporting year.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York public or private?
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private nonprofit institution located in New York, NY.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York an HBCU?
No. Columbia University in the City of New York is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York a tribal college?
No. Columbia University in the City of New York is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Columbia University in the City of New York does not meet that proxy (reported share 15.4%).
Is Columbia University in the City of New York religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Columbia University in the City of New York in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.