Columbia University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

Columbia University, an Ivy League research institution in New York City, is one of the oldest and most respected universities in the country.

If you’re considering applying to Columbia, here’s what you need to know about the admissions process, the Columbia acceptance rate, tuition, financial aid, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In 2022-23, Columbia University tuition and other expenses were as follows:

•  Columbia tuition and fees: $66,139, a 4.1% increase over the previous year

•  Books and supplies: $1,366, a 1.8% increase over the previous year

•  On-campus room and board: $16,238, a 5.4% increase over the previous year

•  Other expenses: $2,360, a 1.9% increase over the previous year

Total costs, then, are as follows:

•  On-campus total: $86,097, a 4.3% increase over the previous year

Financial Aid

Columbia University is need blind, which means applications are considered without factoring in the financial needs of the student. In addition, the university meets 100% of demonstrated need for all qualifying first-year students and transfers. This can help applicants from lower and middle-class families who may not have the financial resources to pay for college expenses.

In 2020-21, 58% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some sort of financial aid. Here, specifically, is what they received:

•  Grant or scholarship aid: 53% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $57,726

•  Federal grants: 33% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $6,236

•  Pell grants: 21% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $6,076

•  Other federal grants: 28% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $2,657

•  State/local: 6% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $4,760

•  Institutional: 52% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $53,589

•  Student loan aid: 7% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $13,338

•  Federal student loans: 7% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $5,511

•  Other student loans: 2% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $34,119

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

In 2020-21, 2% of Columbia students received private student loans with an average amount of $34,119.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

In 2022-23, Columbia University’s cost of attendance was $86,097. Four years at this price would equal $344,388. Keep in mind, though, that there may be tuition increases. For instance, Columbia’s 2021-23 cost of attendance increased by 4.3% compared to the previous year ($82,584).

Here’s some New York Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2022-23, Columbia tuition and total expenses were:

•  Columbia tuition and fees: $66,139

•  On-campus total cost of attendance: $86,097

In 2022-23, the average total cost for a private university in the U.S. was $57,570, which makes the cost of attendance at Columbia 49.5% higher.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2022-23, graduate tuition at Columbia cost on average $52,016, with fees of $2,611, for a total of $54,627. In comparison, the average cost for a Master’s degree student is $23,130 each year. Graduate loans can help with this cost.

Cost per Credit Hour

Cost per credit hours costs are available on the Columbia University website based on the area of study. For example, at Teachers College, the cost per credit hour in 2022-23 was estimated at $1,913, with a college fee of $498 per term.

Campus Housing Expenses

In 2022-23, Columbia room and board costs are:

•  On-campus room and board: $16,286

Off-campus housing in Manhattan can be pricey, with a 703-square-foot apartment going for an average of $4,614 monthly in early 2023. Leases are usually year-round rather than just for the academic year.

Columbia University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2021, 61,110 people applied to the school and the Columbia University acceptance rate was just 4%

Admission Requirements

Application information is available with early decision applications due by November 1 of the year prior to attendance, and regular decision applications due by January 1 of the academic year.

Students must provide an official high school transcript, a counselor’s recommendation, a teacher recommendation from the academic area that a student wishes to pursue, and a mid-year report. Columbus University is test optional through at least fall 2024.

SAT and ACT Scores

In fall 2021, 43% of applicants submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores. The 25th and 75th percentile numbers were as follows:

Popular Majors at Columbia University

In 2021-22, 2,209 undergraduates earned a degree from Columbia. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Computer Science

The curriculum for this program emphasizes computer science theory, mathematics, applied computer technology, and more. Students learn about artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms, machine learning, among other things.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 315

2. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics

The university offers a general economics degree along with five interdisciplinary majors. Students learn about domestic and international finances, trade, labor market analysis, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 274

3. Political Science

The curriculum focuses on governance and power, including formal and informal political institutions. Subfields are American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 205

4. Research and Experimental Psychology

The psychology department nurtures the development of research skills throughout the program, along with critical thinking, ethical values that serve as the foundation of the discipline, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 125

5. History

Students receive a broad education about most periods of history and areas of the world. Graduates pursue diverse careers in media, academia, law, medicine, and more. In 2021, 4.4% of graduating undergraduates earned a history degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 79

6. Neuroscience

The neuroscience major is an interdepartmental one between the psychology department and the biological sciences department.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 79

7. Operations Research

This degree focuses on quantitative decision making, especially when allocating and controlling limited resources. Mathematical and statistical models help students formulate solutions to commonly held problems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 72

8. English Language and Literature

Undergraduates learn how to read critically and imaginatively as they decipher how literature is created. They review significant works in English literature, and place them in historical and cultural context. In 2021, 3.8% of graduating undergraduates earned this degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 67

9. Applied Mathematics

Students in this program take an analytical approach to mathematical issues: large-scale scientific computation, fluid dynamics, data algorithms, and more. In 2021, 2.4% of graduating undergraduates earned an applied mathematics degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 51

10. Social Sciences

In this major, students examine the interactions among people, communities, and organizations, focusing on the relationships and products of human interaction.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 30

Columbia Graduation Rate

The graduation rate for students who began their studies in fall 2015 at Columbia was:

•  6 years: 95%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Median earnings for Columbia graduates is $97,540 a year. In comparison, the average annual earnings of college grads in the U.S. is $55,260.