Columbia Admission Requirements
Chances of getting into Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
5.9%| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Elite | |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
How hard is it to get into Columbia and can I get accepted? The school has a 6% acceptance rate ranking it #1 in New York for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 2,399 out of 40,572 applicants were admitted making Columbia an extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Academically, it has exceptionally high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 2 percent. Columbia University in the City of New York typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students. Of those applicants who were admitted, 62% enrolled. With over half of admitted students enrolling, acceptance by Columbia University in the City of New York is a prized outcome for many students.
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Calculate My ChancesColumbia SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
1450-1560Applicants Submitting SAT
59%| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 710 |
| SAT Math 25th | 740 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1450 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 760 |
| SAT Math 75th | 800 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1560 |
| Average SAT Score | 1510 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Columbia University in the City of New York?
Columbia University in the City of New York typically requires applicants to be in the top 2 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1450 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1390. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1510 out of 1600. The school ranks #1 in New York for highest average SAT composite score. 59 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school. Note: SAT scores presented on this page have been adjusted upwards per the College Board's concordance tables for test takers after March 2016.
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Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1560 and Above | Good | >10% |
| 1505 to 1560 | Avg + | 6%-10% |
| 1450 to 1505 | Avg - | 4%-6% |
| 1395 to 1450 | Reach | 2%-4% |
| Less than 1395 | Low | <2% |
Columbia ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
33-35Applicants Submitting ACT
51%| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 34 |
| ACT Math 25th | 30 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 33 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 36 |
| ACT Math 75th | 35 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 35 |
| Average ACT Score | 34 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Columbia?
Admission data indicates that Columbia regularly accepts students with ACT's of 33 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 2 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 32 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 34 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 35 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #1 in New York for highest average ACT composite score. 51 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Columbia University in the City of New York.
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 35 and Above | Good | >10% |
| 34 to 35 | Avg + | 6%-10% |
| 33 to 34 | Avg - | 4%-6% |
| 32 to 33 | Reach | 2%-4% |
| Less than 32 | Low | <2% |
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
3.91*Typical High School Grades
A-You will need exceptionally good grades to get into Columbia University in the City of New York. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Columbia University in the City of New York was 3.91 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in New York for highest average GPA. Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Columbia extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.91 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.91 GPA.
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 22,212 | 18,360 | 40,572 |
| Accepted | 1,269 | 1,130 | 2,399 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6% | 6% | 6% |
| Enrolled | 775 | 713 | 1,488 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 61% | 63% | 62% |
Fall 2020 Application Deadline
Applications were Due
Jan 1, 2020Days left to Apply
NoneThe application deadline for Fall 2020 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 1, 2020.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Columbia University in the City of New York and what considerations affect admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Recommended |
| High School Class Rank | Recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Other Colleges to Consider
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190150 IPEDS survey data for Columbia University in the City of New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia University in the City of New York prefer SAT or ACT?
59% of students submit their SAT scores to Columbia. 51% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Columbia University in the City of New York?
6% of those who apply are granted admission to Columbia. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Columbia University in the City of New York?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1450 and 1560. 59% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Columbia University in the City of New York?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. 51% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.