Columbia University

New York, NY

Columbia University

New York, NY

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Undergrad Science & Engineering Diversity

Science & Engineering Profile


Engineering for Humanity

As an Ivy League institution, Columbia University offers a renowned liberal arts education in the nation’s most global city. Columbia is a residential university in Manhattan with four years of guaranteed housing for incoming first-year students and one of the most diverse student bodies in the world. Our students come from all 50 states and over 100 countries, with more than half self-identifying as students of color.

Scientific breakthroughs and interdisciplinary study
From the FM radio to modern robotics, Columbia has been an engine of innovation since its founding in 1754. Half of our undergraduate students major in Science or Engineering fields. Most of our Science departments have a 3:1 student-faculty ratio. And professors here are world-renowned in their fields yet keep open office hours and mentor undergraduates. 

No matter your major or department, at Columbia, you’ll join a collaborative academic community that emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of scientific inquiry. Our Core Curriculum cultivates the critical and creative capacities of students to lead in the fields of science and beyond.

Our Engineering curriculum engages students and inspires them to solve societal challenges, a spirit we call Engineering for Humanity. Columbia Engineering focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration through hands-on introductory engineering classes, our Core Curriculum, and more than 20 minors in the liberal arts. Opportunities for research at Columbia are abundant and never limited by your major.

Committed to affordability
We cover the full financial need of every admitted first-year student who applies for financial aid for all four years of study. Admission is need-blind for US citizens, permanent residents, persons granted refugee visas by the US, and undocumented students. We also award financial aid to international students, though financial need is considered in the application process. Our need-based aid comes in the form of grants and work-study only—never loans.

Academic Programs

Science majors:
• Applied Math
• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Biophysics
• Chemical Physics
• Chemistry
• Computer Math
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Earth Science
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species
• Information Science
• Math Statistics
• Mathematics
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Sustainable Development

Engineering majors:
• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth & Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management Systems
• Engineering Mechanics
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation*
• Financial Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Operations Research
• Sustainable Engineering*

Offered as a minor

An Inside Look

What students are saying about us...

  • “Freshman year, my professor mentioned interesting work about proteins she was analyzing. I asked after class to participate in her research. The next week, she asked me to come to lab meetings for her research group.”

    • Colton L.
      Bozeman, MT
  • “I came to Columbia to become an engineer who’s aware of social institutions and histories that shaped the world—to become a more ethical engineer who can make the world a better place for all.”

    • Aryn D.
      Hurst, TX
  • “My biopharma professor did so much more than just teach. Every week, he introduced us to a new industry expert and went above and beyond to explore the full spectrum of the biotech space.”

    • Chang Min Y.
      Seoul, South Korea
  • “Undergraduates co-author papers in my lab all the time; each of my undergraduate researchers has the chance to pursue an independent project and contribute to publications.”

    • Helen Lu
      Professor of Biomedical Engineering