If you are an ambitious international student eyeing Ivy League universities in USA, then you might also have Columbia University on your radar. The prestigious institute is known for its highly competitive acceptance rate, indicating the top-notch education it provides to its students. And what better way to kick off your higher studies than pursuing your Bachelors at Columbia? This blog will act as your comprehensive guide to Columbia University undergraduate courses. We will cover the tuition fees, scholarships, important deadlines, and admission process for these programs. Read on to know more!
Schools Offering Bachelors | Columbia College, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), School of General Studies, Barnard College (women’s college) |
Degree Awarded | Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Number of Undergraduate Programs | Generous need-based and merit-based scholarships are available |
Acceptance Rate | 80+ (overall 4 schools) |
Tuition & Fees | $64,752 (for 2023-24) |
Financial Aid | Generous need-based and merit-based scholarships available |
Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 6:1 |
Ranking | #23 (QS World Ranking 2024) |
Application Deadline |
This Blog Includes:
- Why Choose Columbia University Undergraduate Courses?
- Top Columbia University Undergraduate Courses (with Tuition Fees)
- Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Scholarships
- Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Deadline
- Entry Requirements
- Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Admission Process
- FAQs
Why Choose Columbia University Undergraduate Courses?
With over 80 study areas to choose from, Columbia offers a rigorous and innovative curriculum that combines the liberal arts and sciences with professional and interdisciplinary studies. You will have the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty, engage in cutting-edge research, and explore a wide range of academic disciplines and interests. Columbia’s Core Curriculum is the foundation of your education, exposing you to the essential texts and ideas that have shaped human thought and culture.
Committed to fostering an inclusive community, Columbia University respects and values the differences and similarities. It has a diverse student body from over 100 countries and various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Columbia’s location in New York City offers you unparalleled access to the cultural, social, and professional opportunities of the world’s most dynamic metropolis.
Top Columbia University Undergraduate Courses (with Tuition Fees)
Columbia University offers 4 undergraduate schools, each with its own academic programs, requirements, and policies. Here are some of the most popular undergraduate courses at Columbia, along with their duration and tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
Course | Tuition Fees | Duration |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | $68,400 per year | 4 years |
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) | $68,400 per year | 4 years |
Combined Plan (B.A./B.S. or B.S./B.S.) | $68,400 per year | 5 years |
Joint Program with Juilliard School (B.A./M.M.) | $68,400 per year | 5 years |
Joint Program with Sciences Po (B.A./B.A.) | $68,400 per year | 4 years |
Note: The tuition fees do not include other expenses, such as housing, food, books, personal, and new student fees.
Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Scholarships
Columbia University is committed to making its education affordable for all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Columbia offers generous financial aid packages that consist of grants and work-study, and do not include loans. The financial aid is based on the demonstrated financial need of the student and the family, and not on academic merit or test scores. Columbia also offers some scholarships for international students who are not eligible for federal or state aid.
Here are some of the scholarships available for international students enrolled in Columbia University undergraduate courses:
Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefits |
Columbia Grant | International students who demonstrate financial need | Covers up to the full cost of tuition |
International Student Work-Study Program | International students who demonstrate financial need and have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa | Provides part-time on-campus employment |
Start-up Grant | First-year students from low-income families who demonstrate financial need | Provides $2,000 to ease the transition to college |
First-Year Summer Earnings Contribution Waiver | First-year students from families with incomes below $66,000 who demonstrate financial need | Waives the expected summer earnings contribution requirement |
International Student Emergency Fund | International students who experience unexpected financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances | Provides one-time grants of up to $2,500 |
Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Deadline
Columbia University has two application plans for undergraduate admission: Early Decision and Regular Decision. Early Decision is a binding plan, which means that if you are admitted, you must enroll at Columbia and withdraw your applications from other schools. Regular Decision is a non-binding plan, which means that you can apply to other schools and compare your offers before making a decision.
Here are the application deadlines for undergraduate courses for the year 2024:
Application Plan | Deadline |
Early Decision | 1 November 2024 |
Regular Decision | 1 January 2024 |
Entry Requirements
Columbia University undergraduate courses have a holistic and selective admission process, which considers various factors. There is no minimum GPA or test score requirement, but the admission is highly competitive and the average admitted student has a strong academic record and a well-rounded profile.
Here are some of the general entry requirements of undergraduate courses at Columbia:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT, and TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers)
- School report and counselor recommendation
- Two teacher recommendations
- Personal essay and Columbia-specific questions
- Mid-year report (for Regular Decision applicants)
- Final report (for admitted students)
- Alumni interview (by invitation only)
Columbia University Undergraduate Courses: Admission Process
To apply for Columbia University undergraduate courses, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose your application plan (Early Decision or Regular Decision) and your school (Columbia College or Columbia Engineering).
- Create an account on the Common Application or the Coalition Application website and fill out the online application form.
- Submit the required documents, such as transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and essays, through the application portal or by mail.
- Pay the application fee of $85 or request a fee waiver if you qualify.
- Check your application status and update your information through the application portal.
- Wait for the admission decision and respond by the deadline.
Documents Required
The documents required for undergraduate admission at Columbia vary depending on your academic background, citizenship, and application plan. However, some of the common documents that you need to submit are:
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT, and TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers)
- School report and counselor recommendation
- Two teacher recommendations
- Personal essay and Columbia-specific questions
- Mid-year report (for Regular Decision applicants)
- Final report (for admitted students)
FAQs
Ans: While tuition and fees change annually, for the 2023-2024 academic year, the cost was $64,752. However, Columbia is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of all admitted first-year students.
Ans: The application deadlines for undergraduate courses at Columbia University for depend on the type of application and the term you’re applying for:
1. Fall 2024: Early Decision application – 1 November 2023
Regular Decision application: 1 January 2024
2. Spring 2025: Priority Early Action deadline: 15 January 2025 (tentative).
Early Action deadline: 1 March 2025
Regular Decision deadline: 15 May 2025 (tentative)
Ans: Columbia University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate around 6% for Columbia College and SEAS. However, they consider each applicant holistically, looking beyond just grades and test scores.
We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the Columbia University undergraduate courses. Subscribe to Leverage Edu for more updates on universities to study abroad. Thank you for reading!