The more voices we hear, the more we learn—the better we understand
Columbia University is a residential university on a 36-acre campus in Manhattan, which means “island of many hills” in the language of the Lenni Lenape people. We recognize that Manhattan is part of the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Lenni Lenape and Wappinger people, who are still active members of our community today.
Columbia has one of the most diverse, talented student bodies in the world, including students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Over half our students identify as students of color, and 18% are the first in their families to attend college.
It's your ability that matters, not your ability to pay
We’re committed to making a Columbia education affordable for everyone. Awarding over $185 million in financial aid annually, we cover 100% of demonstrated financial need for all first-year and transfer students pursuing their first degree, regardless of citizenship.
Our admission process is need-blind for US citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, and undocumented students. Our need-based aid comes in the form of grants and work-study only, not loans. The average grant package is $58,558, and nearly 40% of financial aid recipients have a personal or parent contribution under $5,000.
Diverse communities, dynamic experiences
Diversity is part of what makes Columbia University dynamic, as evidenced by our legendary Core Curriculum. With an interdisciplinary series of seminar-style courses taken by students from all majors—including engineers—students make connections across the world of ideas, challenging their thinking and deepening their insights at the same time.
Advisors, faculty, and peers help students embrace academic and personal growth—students take classes with Nobel Laureates and find peer mentorship in identity-based “family trees.” As a citizen of both Columbia and New York, you’ll have the freedom to reach for any goal in a city and community where shaping society and the world happens every day.
