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New York, NY · Private · Medium · Urban
3.6x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at Columbia University.
Strong scores still help. Submit if you are at or above their middle 50%.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 4 supplementals
Heavy supplemental load - start early.
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations required
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$85
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. Columbia University's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open Columbia University's Net Price CalculatorColumbia University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Columbia does not publish its full list of Columbia-specific questions on its own site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Columbia University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppColumbia University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Columbia does not publish its full list of Columbia-specific questions on its own site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Columbia University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppColumbia does not publish its full list of Columbia-specific questions on its own site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement.
Columbia community
Required150 words“A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's diverse and collaborative community.”
Start essay with this prompt →Why Columbia
Required150 words“Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.”
Start essay with this prompt →Why this major / program
Required150 words“What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering?”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2024-09-01 · Cycle 2024-2025 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$65,524
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$65,524
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$262,096
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
18%
Religious Affiliation
None
Football Conference
Ivy
Debt-to-Income
21.7%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$751,904
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 3.6x advantage (10% ED vs 2.8% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
This school is test-optional. Submit scores only if they strengthen your application.
Deadline (ED: November 1, 2026) / RD: January 1, 2027
110 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 4
Interview: Not Offered
Recommendation letters needed
Test optional
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.