Columbia University in the City of New York Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is Columbia University to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia University)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Columbia University's acceptance rate is 3.99% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 60,115 students applied and 2,400 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Columbia University.

To apply to Columbia University, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered.

Explore Columbia University in the City of New York

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, Columbia University's acceptance rate is 3.99% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 64.92%. 26,607 men and 32,507 women applied to Columbia University and 1,122 men and 1,226 women students were accepted.

1,001 applicants who has another gender applied and 52 were accepted.

Among them, 795 men and 736 women were enrolled in Columbia University. You can explore the Columbia University's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Columbia University
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants60,11526,60732,5071,0010
Admitted2,4001,1221,226520
Enrolled1,558795736270
Acceptance Rate 3.99%4.22%3.77%5.19%-
Yield 64.92%70.86%60.03%51.92%-

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Columbia University in the City of New York 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 680 students (45% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 267 students (18% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Columbia University.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,550, including 760 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 790 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 780 and the 25th percentile is 740. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 800 and the 25th percentile is 770.

The median ACT composite score is 35, with a 75th percentile score of 35 and a 25th percentile score of 34 at Columbia University. The median ACT Math score is 35 and the median ACT English score is 35.

How competitive is Columbia University's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Columbia University in the City of New York are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,497, ACT: 34 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at Columbia University
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,5101,5501,580
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing740760780
SAT Math770790800
ACT Composite343535
ACT Math353536
ACT English323536

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Columbia University in the City of New York 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 1,558 first-year students enrolled in Columbia University. The proportion of full-time students is 97.50% and part-time students is 2.50%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 51.03% and women students is 47.24%. 1.73% of students has another gender.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at Columbia University.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at Columbia University
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total1,558795736270
Full-time1,519779713270
Part-time39162300

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Rank, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, Recommendations, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Columbia University. The english proficiency test is not required, but considered.

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Columbia University in the City of New York.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

Columbia University Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankRequired
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesConsidered, if submitted
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestConsidered, if submitted
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusConsidered, if submitted

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to Columbia University:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: www.columbia.edu/content/admissions
  • Online Application: https://www.columbia.edu/content/admissions-offices
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

Columbia University Admission Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia University is extremely competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of 3.99%.
Columbia University recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Columbia University is 1,550, and the average ACT score is 35. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, Columbia University requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, Columbia University requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Columbia University does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Columbia University requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school rank, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Columbia University recommends submitting an English proficiency test for international applicants, but it is not strictly required.

The institutional SAT and ACT codes for Columbia University are not available. Please check the official admissions website for the most up-to-date information.

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