Columbia University in the City of New York campus

Columbia Admission Requirements

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New York, NY
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Columbia Admission Overview

Columbia admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Columbia admitted 4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1510-1580 / ACT 34-35. Columbia is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/process/testing

Columbia Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Columbia acceptance rate is 4%. Last year, only 2,400 of 60,115 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 6th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Columbia and can you get accepted?

Columbia is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Of those admitted, 65% enrolled. That suggests Columbia is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.91*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.91*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Columbia has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.91 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.91 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Columbia is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.91 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Columbia Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Columbia University is test-optional for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering first-year and transfer applicants. SAT and ACT scores are not required this cycle. Starting in August 2027, for the 2027-2028 cycle, first-year and transfer applicants must submit ACT or SAT results; students who face challenges meeting that requirement may request a waiver and will not be disadvantaged. Enrolling students who self-reported scores have those scores verified.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/process/testing

Columbia SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1510-1580

Freshmen who sent SAT

45%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 780
Math 800
Composite 1580

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Columbia typically score around a 1550 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1580) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Columbia ranks #1 in the state of New York and #7 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1580

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1510–1580 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Columbia is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1550 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Columbia University in the City of New York
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580+	Above 75th	>7%
1550 to 1580	Avg +	4%-7%
1510 to 1550	Avg -	2%-4%
Below 1510	Below mid-50	<2%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

18%

25th Percentile Scores

English 32
Math 35
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Columbia typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Columbia places #1 among colleges in New York and #24 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Columbia without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Columbia University in the City of New York
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>13%
34 to 35	Avg +	4%-13%
34 to 34	Avg -	4%-4%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<4%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Columbia chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Columbia University in the City of New York admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	32,507	26,607	60,115
Accepted	1,226	1,122	2,400
Acceptance Rate	4%	4%	4%
Enrolled	736	795	1,558
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	60%	71%	65%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Columbia University in the City of New York and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Columbia University in the City of New York application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Columbia University in the City of New York is $85.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Columbia University in the City of New York
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Columbia is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 4% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1510-1580); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025