Columbia University in the City of New York

www.columbia.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$66,722

3.4% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$22,520

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

3.99%

60,115 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

35,173

82.1% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

96.1%

1,478 Graduates

About

Columbia University in the City of New York is a higher education institution located in New York County, NY. In 2024, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Columbia University in the City of New York were Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods (1,621 degrees awarded), General Computer & Information Sciences (720 degrees), and Social Work (546 degrees).

In 2024, 16,416 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia University in the City of New York. 55.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,886 degrees), 1.84 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2,114 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia University in the City of New York is $66,722, which is $34,802 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

About the photo: Memorial Union from frozen Lake Mendota

Photo by Mike Steele

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Columbia University in the City of New York is $66,722, which is $34,802 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $22,520.

In 2024, 55% of undergraduate students attending Columbia University in the City of New York received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 14% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$66,722

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia University in the City of New York was $66,722. The cost of tuition at Columbia University in the City of New York is $34,802 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$22,520

2024 Value

7.91%

1 Year Growth

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 $22,520. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Columbia University in the City of New York grew by 7.91%.

This chart compares the average net price of Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,929

Room and Board

$1,392

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia University in the City of New York was of $16,929 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 4.18% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,392. The cost of books and supplies increased by 1.9% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

55%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

14%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

55% of undergraduate students at Columbia University in the City of New York received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 55% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Columbia University in the City of New York received 60,115 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 4.34% annual growth. Out of those 60,115 applicants, 2,400 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 3.99% acceptance rate.

There were 35,173 students enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2024. 45% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Columbia University in the City of New York has an overall enrollment yield of 64.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

3.99%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

2,400

Accepted Out of 60,115

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Columbia University in the City of New York was 3.99% (2,400 admissions from 60,115 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 4.23%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 4.34%, while admissions declined by 1.6%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

45%

Submission Percentage (2024)

680

Scores Submitted (2024)

45% of enrolled first-time students at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Columbia University in the City of New York had a total enrollment of 35,173 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Columbia University in the City of New York is 28,886 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,287. This means that 82.1% of students enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia University in the City of New York, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22.6% White, 13.3% Asian, 8.32% Hispanic or Latino, 5.23% Black or African American, 3.35% Two or More Races, 0.136% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0995% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (15.1%), followed by White Female (12.7%) and Asian Female (9.84%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (12.7%), followed by White Male (9.12%) and Asian Female (6.91%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

82.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 35,173 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia University in the City of New York is 28,886 and the part-time enrollment is 6,287. This means that 82.1% of students enrolled at Columbia University in the City of New York are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

98%

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. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Columbia University in the City of New York was 98%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Columbia University in the City of New York had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Columbia University in the City of New York (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
7,943 enrolled students
Asian
4,664 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,925 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Columbia University in the City of New York is 22.6% White, 13.3% Asian, 8.32% Hispanic or Latino, 5.23% Black or African American, 3.35% Two or More Races, 0.136% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0995% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2,731 students (7.76%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 1,930 more women than men received degrees from Columbia University in the City of New York. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Columbia University in the City of New York is white (3,886 degrees awarded). There were 1.84 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2,114 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Columbia University in the City of New York is Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods (1,621 degrees awarded), followed by General Computer & Information Sciences (720 degrees) and Social Work (546 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Columbia University in the City of New York, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Architecture and Related Services (460 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (742 degrees), and Legal (899 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Social workers, all other

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia University in the City of New York are Social workers, all other (152,696 people), Architects, except landscape and naval (109,460 people), Other managers (90,772 people), Postsecondary teachers (67,062 people), and Software developers (64,769 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia University in the City of New York in 2024 are Architecture and Related Services (460 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (742 degrees), Legal (899 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (976 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (144 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia University in the City of New York are Surgeons, Logisticians, Economists, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

The most specialized majors at Columbia University in the City of New York are Architecture and Related Services (460 degrees awarded), Math & Statistics (742 degrees), Legal (899 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (976 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (144 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia University in the City of New York are Elementary & secondary schools (207,971 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (152,316 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (132,327 people), Individual & family services (105,485 people), and Computer Systems Design (97,744 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Columbia University in the City of New York.

Most Common (2024)

Computer Science
449 degrees awarded
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
254 degrees awarded
General Political Science & Government
225 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Columbia University in the City of New York was Computer Science with 449 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Columbia University in the City of New York according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

7,243

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

9,173

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 7,243 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia University in the City of New York, which is 0.79 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (9,173).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Columbia University in the City of New York by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 874 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia University in the City of New York in Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods, which is 1.16 times more than the 752 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 752 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia University in the City of New York in Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods, which is 0.86 times less than the 874 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

88%

100% Completion Time

95%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 88% of students graduating from Columbia University in the City of New York completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 95% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 96% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Columbia University in the City of New York is Male and Asian (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.57% of graduates (38 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
3,886 degrees awarded
Asian
2,114 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,208 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia University in the City of New York is white (3,886 degrees awarded). There were 1.84 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2,114 degrees).

4.37% of degree recipients (718 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
2,512 degrees awarded
White Female
2,324 degrees awarded
White Female
2,301 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbia University in the City of New York is white female (2,512 degrees awarded). There were 1.08 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,324 degrees).

Operations

Columbia University in the City of New York has an endowment valued at nearly $14.8B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 1.61B (10.9%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Columbia University in the City of New York had a total salary expenditure of 6.3B. Columbia University in the City of New York employs 801 Professors, 408 Lecturers and 266 Associate professors. Most academics at Columbia University in the City of New York are Male Professor (552), Female Professor (249), and Female Lecturer (222).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia University in the City of New York are: Management, with 2,794 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 1,312 employees, and Service with 1,242 employees.

Endowment

$14.8B

2024 Endowment

8.35%

growth from 2023

Columbia University in the City of New York has an endowment valued at about $14.8B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Columbia University in the City of New York grew 8.35% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $14.5B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Columbia University in the City of New York (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$1.3B - Federal
$13.9M - State
$2.48M - Local

As of 2024, Columbia University in the City of New York received $1.3B in grants and contracts from the federal government, $13.9M from state grants and contracts, and $2.48M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$3.03B

2024 Salaries

6.98%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Columbia University in the City of New York paid a median of $3.03B in salaries, which represents 48.1% of their overall expenditure ($6.3B) and a 6.98% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.97% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 6.59% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$330M

Instructional Salaries

1,705

Number of Employees

In 2024, Columbia University in the City of New York paid a total of $330M to 1,705 employees working as instructors, which represents 10.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia University in the City of New York were Management with 2,794 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 1,312 employees, and Service with 1,242 employees.

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