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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.
Columbia University School of General Studies is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in New York, NY and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 29%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia University School of General Studies is 98% and the six-year graduation rate is 95%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is May 15. The transfer application deadline is May 15.
Learn more about what Columbia University School of General Studies has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
9,164
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$60,420
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
95%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Here are the most essential facts you should know about admission policy and requirements at Columbia University School of General Studies.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 153 in 2025. 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 eminent institution with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
23% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 10% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 94% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 6% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 87.5 and 12.5 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 15. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is May 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. 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 2025, the freshman retention rate for Columbia University School of General Studies was 98%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 95%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 35,173 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 66% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 9,164, 693 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 410.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 12,914 male and 15,743 female full-time students in 2025.
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. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 250 Asian students and 139 Afro-American students in 2025. 271 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 93 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 94 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on Columbia University School of General Studies costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Columbia University School of General Studies is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition in 2025 was $60,420 for full-time domestic students. As Columbia University School of General Studies is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 60,420 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,420 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Columbia University School of General Studies.
According to the most recent data, 8 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $49,813.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,108 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia University School of General Studies is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,129. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $5,516,638, and state $229,109. The students of Columbia University School of General Studies received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $40,346,283, and external in the amount of $11,198,623.
$8,195
Average Amount of Aid Received
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. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 112 students overall (including freshmen) at Columbia University School of General Studies in 2025. 1 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,273,673. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,723,243 USD.
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Columbia University School of General Studies was 6:1. That means that there were 6 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 3,264 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 1,892 men and 1,367 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. Find out some details about campus life at Columbia University School of General Studies.
It has a campus size of 36 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 500. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the Columbia University School of General Studies band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Columbia University School of General Studies publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Columbia University School of General Studies offers a number of services needed for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Columbia University School of General Studies.
All in all, campus life at Columbia University School of General Studies is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 School of General Studies.
Career Counselling
At Columbia University School of General Studies, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are 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. There is 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.
FAQ
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Columbia University School of General Studies is located in New York, NY.
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Columbia University School of General Studies 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 School of General Studies is 60,420 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Columbia University School of General Studies is 29%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Columbia University School of General Studies is 98%.
Contact Information
Columbia University School of General Studies
408 Lewisohn Hall
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.