Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

Columbia University: Acceptance Rates & Statistics

Check here Columbia University Acceptance Rate for all year. Here I have listed Columbia University Acceptance Rate

• Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2022
• Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2023
• Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2024
• Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2025
• Columbia University Acceptance Rate 2026

Columbia University Acceptance Rate: Columbia University is an Ivy League school, and its admissions statistics make Columbia University one of the most competitive Ivy League Schools.

Like all the top schools, Columbia University’s acceptance rates have declined over the last 8 years. They will likely continue to decline in the future.

The Class of 2023 was one of the most challenging years to get into Columbia University. The Class of 2023 saw 42,569 students apply to Columbia University.

Two thousand one hundred ninety of these students were accepted. This resulted in an overall acceptance rate of 5.9%.

The Class of 2023 saw 650 students admitted to the early admissions process. The total number of early applications received was 4,461, which gave rise to a 14.6% acceptance rate. The number of early applications increased 9.2% from last year (2022-2023) when it was 4,085 to 4,461.

Overview of Columbia University

Columbia University was established in 1754. The private university follows a semester-based academic schedule. It is situated in New York’s urban setting and has a campus of over 36 acres.

Columbia University ranks #2 on the 2022 American Best Colleges list. It is also ranked among the top 20 colleges worldwide.

It is the preferred choice of students worldwide because it has a unique combination of strong academic departments and an urban setting.

The school has over 250 years of rich history and is a vibrant residential community. Students also have easy access to the city’s highly resourceful resources.

Enrollment In Columbia University

Columbia University receives over 40,000 applications each year. Columbia University accepts nearly 5-6% of applicants.

Class	Total Applications	Total Accepted Applications	Overall Columbia University acceptance rate	Columbia University transfer acceptance rate
2023	42,569	2,190	5%	6.08%
2022	40,203	2,214	6%	6.08%

Columbia: Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2026

Columbia received 6,435 Early Decision Applications for the Class of 2026. 650 applicants were accepted to the ED program at a 10% rate. The ED route is better than applying to Columbia in the regular cycles.

Columbia Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025 & 2026

There was a roughly 50% increase in the applications first-year class with 60,377. Only 2,253 applications were accepted, which is 3.73%. This decreased from the 6.3% rate for Class 2024 just two years ago. Columbia’s acceptance rate in 2012 was 10.7%.

Columbia Admissions – SAT, GPA, and Class Rank

The Class of 2025 had a mid-50% SAT range between 1510-1560 and a mid-50% ACT range between 34-35. A remarkable 95% of students admitted they placed in the top 10% of their graduating high school class.

Columbia University GPA requirements

Your application will not be rejected if you meet the minimum Columbia GPA requirements. The minimum Columbia University GPA requirements are not required if you want to get into college.

Students must have a 4.1 GPA to meet the Columbia GPA requirements. This means that you must be one of the best high school students. You will also need to take your high school’s most challenging IB and AP courses.

Because they lack the time and resources to improve their grades, junior students with low GPAs have difficulty meeting the Columbia GPA requirements. To meet Columbia University admission requirements, students should focus on increasing their ACT and SAT scores.

ACT score to meet the Columbia University admission requirements  

Your ACT score influences Columbia University admissions requirements. Candidates with low ACT scores may not be admitted to Columbia University, even though there is no minimum score.

According to the trends, the Columbia University requirement for ACT scores is 34. This score is highly competitive for applicants. It is also difficult for applicants with a lower ACT score than 33 to get a university seat for the course they want.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you’re taking an ACT instead of the SAT, you benefit greatly in how you report scores. This drastically impacts your test strategy.

This is how it works: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you are in complete control over the tests you submit. You could take 10 tests but only send the one with the highest score. This is in contrast to the SAT, where many schools require you to submit every test you ever took.

This means you’ll have greater chances than you think to increase your ACT score. If you want to reach the school’s ACT requirements of 35 or above, you must make an effort to take the ACT at least as many times as you can. Once you’ve got the final score you are happy with, you can send that score to all the schools you attend.

ACT Superscore Policy

In general, colleges don’t superscore the ACT. (Superscore is when the school uses your top section scores from each test you take and then blends these scores to produce the most effective total score). Therefore, most schools will only take your best ACT score from one session.

We could not locate the specific ACT policies, but this likely means that they do not offer Superscore. Whatever the case, you’ll be able to select the highest ACT score to submit for admission to Columbia University, so you should prepare to reach the suggested ACT score of 35.

SAT score to meet the Columbia University admission requirements  

While there are no minimum Columbia University SAT scores, they are a critical factor in granting admission. Applicants who wish to be admitted should meet the Columbia University average SAT score.

The average composite SAT score required to apply for Columbia University admission is 1505. This makes Columbia University extremely competitive in SAT scores. Applicants with SAT scores below 1450 will have difficulty getting into the school.

Columbia University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile of the New SAT score of 1450, while the 75th percentile of the New SAT score of 1560. That’s right that a 1450 score on the New SAT places you below the average, while a score of 1560 would raise you towards the above average.

Here’s the breakdown of the latest SAT scores for each section:

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
Math	770	740	800
Reading + Writing	735	710	760
Composite	1505	1450	1560

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Columbia University has the Score Choice policy of “Highest Section.”

This is also known as “superscoring.” This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

What is the Columbia University transfer acceptance rate?

Only a few transfer students are admitted to Columbia University with exceptional qualifications. Columbia University’s transfer acceptance rate of 6.08% is shockingly low.

Columbia University admissions are extremely difficult for transfer students. Transfer students must have a minimum 3.91 GPA to be admitted to Columbia University. Students with a GPA of over 4.07 have an advantage over their peers.

Policies of credit transfer at Columbia University

Columbia University’s credit transfer policies also influence the acceptance rate of Columbia University transfers. Applicants should consider credit transfer policies.

• To transfer credit to Columbia University, applicants must complete or register 24 credit points at an educational institution.
• Applicants can transfer 64 points to Columbia College for admission.
• Applicants may transfer earned credits from AP or IB exams.
• The university doesn’t consider college courses applicants take before graduating high school.
• Columbia University does not accept credit for courses not offered by any other colleges.

Columbia University admissions requirements for graduate courses

More than 80 graduate programs are offered by the University to its students. Students are highly interested in visual arts, music, financial economics, and computer science courses.

Two application portals allow applicants to apply to Columbia University. These are:

• Coalition Application
• Common Application

These are the Columbia University requirements for documents that you need to apply for graduate programs.

• Profile of the applicant at school
• Autobiographical information of the applicant
• Documents proving the applicant’s participation in activities, employment, accomplishments, etc.
• A personal essay of the applicant
• High school teachers may send letters of recommendation
• High-school transcript
• Engineering candidates must have a letter from a math or science teacher
• Mid-year Completion Report
• GPA and standardized exam scores
• Statement of purpose

How to Apply to Columbia

Deadlines

You now have an idea of the process for applying to Columbia. Here are some dates to remember for the 2021-2022 cycle.

Application Timeline	Deadline
Early Decision & QuestBridge National College Match	November 1
Early Decision financial aid applications	November 15
Regular Decision	January 1
Early Decision response deadline	Early January
Regular Decision financial aid applications	February 15

Application Requirements

Columbia University accepts both the Coalition Application and the Common Application, as well as the QuestBridge Application for QuestBridge finalists.

• Official high school transcript
• Autobiographical information
• List and description of extracurriculars, employment, and summer activities
• Personal essay
• Recommendation and school profile from one high school counselor
• SAT or ACT (optional for 2021–2022)
• Teacher recommendations, one of which must come from a math or science teacher for students applying to SEAS
• Application fee or waiver

Application Fee   $85

Popular Courses at Columbia University

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Executive MBA
• Finance
• International Management
• Marketing (tie)
• Computer Science
• Law
• Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Nursing
• English
• Economics
• Fine Arts

Admissions Trends & Notes (Class of 2026)

• The Class of 2026 was open to students from all 50 states and 86 other countries.
• The Class of 2026 saw an increase in students who identified themselves as students of color by 4%.
• As well, the number of Pell Grant-eligible and first-generation students increased.
• Columbia University has extended its test-optional policy to the 2023-24 cycle.
• The Class of 2025 had almost the same number of applicants as the Class of 2026, with a nearly identical acceptance rate.

How to stand out on my Columbia application

A glance at the impressive list of Lion alumni will give you a glimpse of what the university is looking to attract: politicians (Barack Obama), writers (Langston Hughes, JD Selinger), entrepreneurs (Robert Kraft and Warren Buffett), actors/actresses (“Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal,” “Kate McKinnon”).

Although your unique talent may not make you as well-known as these individuals, it is essential to stand out in any way possible. You might be the best oboe player, the top pole vaulter, or the top finisher at a national physics competition.

It is important to shine the brightest among thousands with 4.4 GPAs or 1550 SAT scores. These are just a few examples of many possible examples.

Athletes recruited to Columbia’s NCAA Division I sport teams have a distinct advantage. About 775 Columbia students are also varsity sportsmen.

These athletes must also be very accomplished in the classroom. An incredible 42% of Columbia’s athletes were on the Dean’s List in one year.

How Columbia Rates Applicants

Columbia uses a holistic admissions system to select “those who will most benefit from the Columbia experience” and offer something in return. Columbia takes six factors into account.

1. Curriculum & grades
2. Context (family and social circumstances)
3. Extracurricular activities
4. Character
5. “Fit”
6. Recommendations

Columbia follows a committee-based admissions process. No applicant is admitted to Columbia without having been “discussed and examined” by more than one admissions officer.

The university also “seeks diversity in personalities, achievements, talents, and economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.” Let’s take a look at the demographics for the Class of 2024.

Who Actually Gets Into Columbia?

Geographically speaking, these were the states that sent the most students to the Class of 2025.

1. New York
2. California
3. New Jersey
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Massachusetts
7. Pennsylvania
8. Illinois
9. North Carolina
10. Virginia

You can get an advantage if you come from a state that is less populated and has fewer qualified applicants, just like other Ivy League schools.

Elite colleges value ” geographical diversity,” which means that if you are from a remote area such as Montana or Idaho, your chances of being admitted will increase.

Next, look at the 13% of international students who were part of the most recent first-year Class. These are the top ten countries that sent the most international students to the Class 2025:

1. China
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. India
5. Hong Kong
6. Turkey
7. Singapore
8. South Korea
9. Brazil
10. Ethiopia

The Class of 2025’s ethnic identity was broken down as follows (percentages don’t add up to 100% because applicants can list multiple races).

• White: 54%
• Asian American, 28%
• Hispanic: 20%
• African American, 18%
• American Indian 4%

Consider the possible first major for Class of 2025 Columbia graduates who are planning to study:

• Math and Natural Sciences: 26%
• 23% Arts & Humanities
• Engineering: 24%
• Social Sciences: 26%
• Undecided: 1%

This figure is a surprise because it shows the meager percentage of undecided students. This indicates that Columbia prefers students who are strong academically. Of course, it also speaks to the professionally-focused applicant pool.

The Class of 2025 had a fairly even gender split:

• Female: 50%
• Male: 48%
• Non-binary and other: 2%

Columbia’s “Yield Rate”

Columbia’s yield rate, which is the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll divided by the total students admitted, is 67%. They are above Dartmouth (64%), Cornell (64%), and behind Yale (83%), Stanford (80%), and Penn (70%).

Tips for Applying to Columbia

The following information is essential to join the Columbian hopefuls in the next admissions cycle.

• Columbia cannot guarantee alumni interviews, but they are available all around the globe from October through March each year. Your information will be automatically sent to alumni interviewers in your area. They will then contact you. Some interviewers will conduct the session via Skype or phone. You can find tips and advice about what questions to prepare for in our blog College Interview Tips.
• Columbia doesn’t consider ” demonstrated Interest,” and you won’t be judged on whether you visited campus, contacted admissions officers, etc.
• Columbia requires that you spend sufficient time and effort on the short answers and supplemental essays. They are very extensive. They were as follows for the 2021-22 cycle:

Essay Prompts

List Questions

• List the titles and readings required for academic courses you have enjoyed the most in secondary/high school.
• The titles of short stories, poems, and books you have read were not academic. These are the books, essays, or plays you most enjoyed during secondary/high school.
• The titles of any print or digital publications, journals, websites, podcasts, or other content you are regularly interacting with
• List the films, albums, museums, lectures, and other entertainments you most enjoyed during secondary/high school.

Short Answer Questions

• Columbia students are active in helping to improve their communities in their residence halls, classes, and throughout New York City. Your actions have a positive impact on the lives of others, no matter how small or large. Please share one of the contributions you have made to your school, family, friends group or other community you live in. (200 words maximum)
• What are you most interested in at Columbia University? (200 words and less)
• Please describe what aspects of your past and current experiences (either academic or personal) are most appealing to you about the study areas you have indicated in your application. (200 words and less).

What does Columbia University seek in applicants?

Candidates must not only meet the Columbia GPA requirements but also other Columbia University admissions requirements.

These are the characteristics that the university considers most important for applicants:

• The university must provide a transcript proving that an applicant is actively learning in challenging fields.
• The university also values extracurricular activities. This demonstrates students’ enthusiasm for engaging in meaningful activities in real life.
• Columbia University is very concerned about the character of students. Columbia University will positively impact the campus by selecting the right applicant.
• It is also essential to consider how the applicant will fit in with the university’s unique environment.
• Columbia University is looking for evidence of cognitive curiosity, promise, and the applicant’s involvement in school and community activities. The university is interested in learning how applicants can contribute to campus.
• Columbia University employs a holistic approach when evaluating applicants. The admission officials consider applicants’ family resources, community, and high school environment.

Notable Alumni

Some famous alumni from Columbia University include:

• • Madeleine Albright, 64th United States Secretary of State; first female Secretary of State
  • Alan Greenspan, 13th Chair of the Federal Reserve
  • Herman Hollerith, Inventor; co-founder of IBM
  • Allen Ginsberg, Poet; Founder of the Beat Generation
  • Jack Kerouac, Poet; Founder of the Beat Generation
  • J. D. Salinger, Novelist, The Catcher in the Rye

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Scholarship grants and fellowships are often described as “gift aid” because they aren’t repaid. Universities, governments as well as private companies are all potential sources.

Skills in athletics or academics, enthusiasm for a specific field, or volunteer involvement can all be factors for being awarded the scholarship.

Certain scholarships are awarded according to the religion or ethnicity of the applicant. Businesses may also grant your child or you an award. Most of these grants are need-based, meaning they are granted based on the financial needs of your family or situation.

It is the Federal Work-Study programme is a form of financial aid offered to students who are willing to do work part-time. The amount and quality of this assistance vary per school and are based on the need.

Fellowships “Institutional aid” is the term used to describe financial assistance managed and given through Columbia University as a whole or by individual schools within the university.

While most institutional aid is managed and distributed by school, however, some aid from institutions are administered centrally. Interschool fellowships are a type of coordinated aid that is centrally managed. These are prizes based on merit open to all students at any Columbia institution or school.

Aloan means taking money from a financial institution, government, or lending institution. The loan has to be paid back with a fee that is referred to in the form of interest.

Students who are financially strapped are eligible for loans with low interest through the Federal government. Some lenders will charge more rate of interest. They come in many forms, such like:

• Columbia Institutional Loans
• Federal Loans
• Private Loans
• Loans for Students in Health Careers

Should I Apply to Columbia?

If you are a typical Columbia student, applying is worth the $85 and effort. However, remember that the university rejects 96 out of 100 applicants.

The majority of these applicants have outstanding credentials, just like yours. It was evident that teens who apply to this Ivy or any other Ivy must also have a mix of “target” and safety schools on their college lists. It has more information on creating a balanced college roster.

Academic Life at Columbia University  

The most sought-after courses at Columbia University include: Information is not available. The average retention rate for first-year students as a gauge of satisfaction with the school is 97%.

Student Life at Columbia University

Columbia University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,148 (fall 2020). In terms of sports, Columbia University is part of the NCAA I.

Columbia University Campus

Columbia University offers several student services, such as nonremedial tutoring, placement and health services, and health insurance.

Columbia University also offers campus security and safety features like 24/7 foot and vehicle patrols, late-night transportation/escort services 24, hours emergency phone service and walkways that are lit, and controlled access to dormitories (key security card, key and so on.).

Students are allowed to drink alcohol if they are of legal age at Columbia University.

Columbia University Map Location

Location & Contact

Address

Contact

Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia University

  Q.1 What is Columbia Uni famous for?    

ANS. It is the “Core Curriculum,” which gives students exposure to a diverse spectrum of concepts within the areas of literature, art, philosophy, history, and music and science are the centre of Columbia academics.

The classes in the Core Curriculum are known for their small classes (22 pupils per classroom) that allow students to build strong relationships with their professors.

 Q.2  Is Columbia hard to get into?    

ANS. With a 3.73 per cent acceptance rate for 2026’s class, Columbia is this year’s second most difficult school to be accepted into.

The admissions process for undergraduates at Columbia is holistic, taking into account every applicant’s personal experiences, background, and academic achievements.

 Q.3  How to get into Columbia University?    

ANS. Suppose you’d like to go to Columbia. In that case, it is essential to achieve at least one of these by writing impressive essays, getting a high score on your admission test, participating in extracurricular pursuits that show your strengths and talents, and excelling in every class in high school.

  Q.4 What is the difference between Columbia University and Columbia College?    

ANS. The first undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences in Columbia, Columbia College, was founded in 1754 as King’s College in 1754, which marked the start of the establishment of Columbia University.

The institution, initially a college for undergraduates, was named Columbia College even after Columbia College, located in New York City, New York, was changed to Columbia University in the City of New York in 1896.

  Q.5 What is SAT score required for Columbia?    

ANS. The acceptance rate for Columbia University is very competitive. Columbia University is just about five per cent, meaning that just 5 of 100 candidates are accepted.

The applicants who want to attend Columbia University must have an ACT score between 34 and 35 or an SAT score between 1440 and 1570.