Columbia College

A top-ranked college of arts and sciences, distinguished by a singular, intensive Core Curriculum. Close contact with prize-winning, path-breaking faculty. Access to the resources of a world-class university and the world’s financial, cultural, and communications capital. A comprehensive advising system. Close ties with the University’s renowned graduate and professional schools, including law, business, medicine, arts, journalism, and international and public affairs.

Essential facts

  • 4,400 undergraduates
  • A student to faculty ratio of 6 to 1
  • In the physical sciences, 3 to 1
  • Nearly 80% of classes offered to undergraduates have fewer than 20 students
  • More than 80 areas of study
  • 22 science majors in all branches of the biological, natural and physical sciences
  • Undergraduate research is highly encouraged with some admitted students offered up to 4 years or more of guaranteed research at time of admission
  • More than a dozen conservatory-caliber arts majors and programs
  • Instruction in nearly 50 foreign languages
  • All undergraduates participate in The Core Curriculum, the nation's oldest singular curriculum of its kind
  • The second highest retention rate in the country with 99% of undergraduates returning for sophomore year
  • Nearly all students living on campus for all four years. A shared life with 1,400 Columbia Engineering undergraduates
  • Nearly 300 study abroad programs
  • More than 200 research institutes and centers; a wide range of world-class laboratories
  • 22 libraries comprising one of the top 10 library systems in America
  • New York is unparalleled in opportunity as the communications, creative, economic and political capital of the world and a leading center for scienctific, medical and technological innovation.

News

Read the latest newsletters we send to prospective students which provide information about Columbia and life in New York City.

Science at Columbia College

Visit our  web content about studying science at Columbia College. Read more

ROTC Available for Columbia Undergraduates

Columbia welcomes students who receive ROTC scholarships. Read more

Net Price Calculator Provides Estimate of College Costs

Interactive tool estimates approximate family contribution. Read more