More selective than 100% of New York colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
40% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 21% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Columbia University in the City of New York over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Columbia University in the City of New York weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Columbia University in the City of New York reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- Talent or ability
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Interview
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Columbia University in the City of New York first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Columbia University in the City of New York SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Columbia University in the City of New York is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1580 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Columbia University in the City of New York admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 4% | 740–780 | 770–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 4% | 730–770 | 760–800 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Columbia University in the City of New York compared with other New York colleges?
Columbia University in the City of New York has the lowest acceptance rate of 140 New York colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 4% | 96% | $21,590 |
| 2 | Cornell University | 9% | 95% | $28,690 |
| 3 | Barnard College | 9% | 93% | $28,800 |
| 4 | The Juilliard School | 9% | 93% | $43,571 |
| 5 | New York University | 9% | 88% | $37,050 |
| 6 | United States Military Academy | 12% | 87% | — |
| 7 | Hamilton College | 14% | 91% | $28,985 |
| 8 | Colgate University | 14% | 91% | $28,786 |
| 9 | Webb Institute | 14% | 88% | $73,043 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All New York colleges →
Who enrolls at Columbia University in the City of New York
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Columbia University in the City of New York admissions questions
What is the Columbia University in the City of New York acceptance rate?
Columbia University in the City of New York accepts 4% of applicants, about 1 in 25. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,439 of 57,613 applicants were admitted.
Does Columbia University in the City of New York require the SAT or ACT?
Columbia University in the City of New York considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 40% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Columbia University in the City of New York?
The middle 50% of Columbia University in the City of New York enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Columbia University in the City of New York?
63% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,540 of 2,439).
What does Columbia University in the City of New York look for in applicants?
Columbia University in the City of New York reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities. Important: talent or ability. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is Columbia University in the City of New York getting harder to get into?
Columbia University in the City of New York accepted 4% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 4% for Fall 2023.
Is Columbia University in the City of New York the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Columbia University in the City of New York's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Columbia University in the City of New York overview