Columbia University has an overall acceptance rate of 7%, with a 3.73% regular decision acceptance rate and a 10.31% early decision acceptance rate. Columbia University received 60,377 applications for the Class of 2026. Columbia's Class of 2026 acceptance rate of 3.73% was almost equal to the previous year's (class of 2025) acceptance rate of 3.66%.
Admission to Columbia University is difficult, especially considering the university's acceptance rate, which is one of the lowest in the world. Columbia University received 54,072 regular decision applications, out of which only 1,603 students were accepted. Columbia, one of the most demanding Ivy League schools, admitted only 2.96% of students in the regular admissions round.
Category | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2026 |
---|---|---|---|
Total First-Year Applicants | 40,084 | 60,551 | 60,377 |
Admitted Applicants | 2,465 | 2,218 | 2,253 |
Overall Admission Rate | 6.15% | 3.66% | 3.73% |
Early Decision Applicants | 4,318 | 6,435 | 6.305 |
Early Decision Admissions Rate | 15.05% | 10.10% | 10.31% |
Acceptance Rate at Columbia University for UG
Between 2012 and 2022, applications to Columbia University for UG programs increased by more than 50%. Columbia University's acceptance rate has always been very competitive, with an average acceptance rate of 6%, but in 2021 the college saw an all-time low with an acceptance rate of 3.66%. Though it slighty increased to 3.73% in 2022 admissions.
Year | Applications | Accepted | Acceptance Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | 33,531 | 2,311 | 6.89% |
2014 | 32,967 | 2,291 | 6.94% |
2015 | 36,250 | 2,222 | 6.12% |
2016 | 36,292 | 2,279 | 6.27% |
2017 | 37,389 | 2,263 | 6.05% |
2018 | 40,203 | 2,260 | 5.62% |
2019 | 42,569 | 2,245 | 5.27% |
2020 | 40,084 | 2,465 | 6.15% |
2021 | 63,318 | 2,577 | 3.66% |
2022 | 60,377 | 2,253 | 3.73% |
Graduate Acceptance Rate at Columbia University
The general Columbia graduate school acceptance rate is 5.1%. Admission to Columbia graduate programs requires a total undergraduate GPA of 3.0. However, admissions are handled by the field and then by a departmental committee. The Graduate Admissions Committee at Columbia seeks applicants who have demonstrated proficiency in research and writing. The most enrolled program at Columbia University are mentioned below along with their acceptance rate:
Program | Average Acceptance Rate |
---|---|
Master of Business Administration | 22.1% |
Masters in Engineering | 28% |
Master's in Communication | 19% |
Master’s in Law | 11.3% |
Masters in History | 5-7% |
Graduate Enrollment at Columbia University
The most enrolled graduate program at Columbia University are Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Professional Studies, Engineering, and Business. From 2012 to 2021, the Engineering school at Columbia has seen the most significant change in enrollment from 2,400 enrollment in 2012 to 4,139 in 2021.
Graduate Program | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Architecture, Planning, & Preservation | 786 | 788 | 706 | 784 | 809 | 798 | 783 | 726 | 779 | 798 |
Arts | 838 | 841 | 852 | 864 | 878 | 877 | 862 | 837 | 875 | 850 |
Business | 2,146 | 2,152 | 2,207 | 2,252 | 2,295 | 2,310 | 2,281 | 2,191 | 2,325 | 2,396 |
Engineering | 2,885 | 3,101 | 3,263 | 3,435 | 3,553 | 3,914 | 4,176 | 4,139 | 5,035 | 5,512 |
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | 3,315 | 3,448 | 3,469 | 3,488 | 3,706 | 3,764 | 3,857 | 3,397 | 3,513 | 3,679 |
International & Public Affairs | 1,352 | 1,410 | 1,333 | 1,325 | 1,416 | 1,409 | 1,298 | 1,062 | 1,294 | 1,526 |
Journalism | 401 | 384 | 434 | 412 | 361 | 363 | 357 | 255 | 412 | 299 |
Law | 1,568 | 1,528 | 1,547 | 1,634 | 1,638 | 1,637 | 1,617 | 1,383 | 1,781 | 1,717 |
Professional Studies | 2,268 | 2,352 | 2,514 | 3,039 | 3,423 | 3,551 | 3,709 | 3,189 | 3,844 | 4,021 |
Studies Social Work | 934 | 906 | 900 | 990 | 1,116 | 1,063 | 986 | 1,093 | 1,151 | 1,185 |
Total | 16,493 | 16,910 | 17,225 | 18,223 | 19,195 | 19,686 | 19,926 | 18,272 | 21,098 | 22,063 |
International students make up 12% of Columbia University’s incoming class. Most of those students come from China, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Turkey, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Columbia University's admissions process is highly competitive, with a low acceptance rate. However, Columbia has a holistic admissions procedure that takes into account things other than grades and test scores. Strong application essays and glowing letters of recommendation, as well as participation in significant extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule, can all help your application.
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