Columbia University
New York, NY
Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) is an educational division within Columbia University that is dedicated exclusively to non-traditional undergraduate students. Founded in 1947, GS provides a unique educational experience tailored to accommodate students who have had a break in their education, have various life experiences, or have pursued unconventional paths prior to seeking a college degree. GS offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, granting Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, and strives to foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment.
The School of General Studies at Columbia University welcomes a diverse range of students, with an average age of around 27. GS students come from a variety of backgrounds, including military veterans, single parents, international students, and those who have experienced career changes. The school aims to provide a supportive environment for these students, offering extensive resources such as academic advising, career counseling, and internship opportunities to help them successfully navigate their academic journey and transition into meaningful careers.
With a faculty comprised of esteemed scholars, writers, and experts in their respective fields, GS students have access to a broad range of academic disciplines and courses. They have the opportunity to study alongside undergraduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, enriching their educational experience. GS also offers unique programs such as the Joint Dual Degree Program with Sciences Po in France and the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program, which prepares students for medical school.
In conclusion, Columbia University School of General Studies caters to non-traditional students by providing a supportive and inclusive learning community. With its prestigious faculty, diverse student body, and comprehensive resources, it offers a rigorous liberal arts education to students from various backgrounds who wish to pursue their academic and career goals. GS aims to facilitate a transformative educational experience that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary for success in their chosen fields.
Located in New York, NY and set in an urban environment, Columbia University is a private university. Its campus is 36 acres in size. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. Given an acceptance rate of merely 3%, admissions is consider very competative. The freshman retention rate at Columbia University is 98% and the six-year graduation rate is 95%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 1. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Columbia University.
Quick Facts
6,668
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
3%
Acceptance Rate
$62,570
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
95%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. How difficult is it to get admitted to Columbia University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,255 in 2023. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. This prominent school with a rich history offers an unmatched learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
45% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 24% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 97% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 3% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 99 and 1 between 24-29.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 749 and an average SAT Math score of 775.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 1. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is March 1.
3%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Columbia University was 98%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 95%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Columbia University in 2023 was 29,661.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 79% for that year. There was a total of 6,668 undergraduate students, including 1,065 international students. The school admitted a total of 282 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,034 male and 14,695 female full-time students in 2023, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Columbia University.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 1,415, while the number of African American students was 552. 1,121 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 478 identified with more than one race. The school also had 10 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 25 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 87 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Columbia University estimated tuition costs.
Tuition in 2023 was $62,570 for full-time domestic students. Columbia University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2023 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,954.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2023, room and board cost at Columbia University amounted to $16,212 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $11,096, according to the data from 2023.
Tuition | $ 62,570 |
Room and Board | $ 16,212 |
Total Expense | $ 78,782 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Columbia University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 742 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $68,847 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
3,255 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,484. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $9,713,217, and state $1,854,092. The students of Columbia University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $198,485,695, and external in the amount of $4,079,105.
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 161 students overall (including freshmen) at Columbia University in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 63 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $9,713,217 while the state aid is $164,161. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,445,491 USD.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Columbia University was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 196 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 100 men and 96 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at Columbia University.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 500. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 7 percent of male and 8 of female students participate in different organizations at Columbia University. The student organization that is most favored by students is Publications, followed by Athletics and Performing Arts. Other popular organizations among the students at Columbia University are Cultural Organization and Community Service.
Students who have a talent for music can join the Columbia University band or chorus. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. For students interested in media and communication, Columbia University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Columbia University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Columbia University.
All in all, campus life at Columbia University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Columbia University.
Career Counselling
At Columbia University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 84,082 USD.
$84,082
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Columbia University is located in New York, NY.
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Columbia University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Columbia University is 62,570 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Columbia University is 3%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Columbia University is 98%.
Contact Information
Columbia University,
212 Hamilton Hall MC2807 1130 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY
10027
212 854-1754
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.