Columbia University, an Ivy League institution founded in 1754, is located in New York City and ranks #12 (tied with Cornell and University of Chicago) in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges. We’ll note, however, that the university has a somewhat fraught relationship with college rankings. Columbia is known for its intensive Core Curriculum — a series of small, discussion-based seminars that explore foundational, “classic” literature. With access to a vast array of resources in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, Columbia cultivates a unique blend of academic excellence and real-world impact, shaping future leaders and producing notable alum in politics and the arts like Former President Barack Obama (Class of 1983), and actor/filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal (Class of 1999).
COLUMBIA’S ACCEPTANCE RATE REMAINS STEADY
A total of 2,319 students were offered admission to the Class of 2028 by Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science on Ivy Decision Day.
This year’s 3.85% overall acceptance rate is slightly down from last year’s 4%, when Columbia admitted 2,285 applicants from 57,126 applications.
The newest members of the Class of 2028 were selected from the third largest applicant pool in Columbia’s history, 60,248 total, through the university’s Early Decision and Regular Decision cycles, according to Columbia’s student newspaper, Bwog.
During the Early Decision round, Columbia received 6,009 applications and accepted 750 students for an ED acceptance rate of 12.48%.
Jessica Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, commented on the impressive qualifications of the admitted students: “The students we admitted today are so much more than their impressive credentials. Through their essays and extracurriculars, research projects and maker portfolios, they have revealed remarkable depth, dedication and inspiration. These students are interdisciplinary change-makers, caring community members and individuals who lead with genuine kindness.”
COLUMBIA ADMISSIONS POLICY & CAMPUS UPDATES
Columbia University became the only Ivy League institution to go permanently test-optional, back in March of 2023, in order to offer “the greatest possible opportunity and flexibility for students to represent themselves fully.”
Recently, peer institutions like Dartmouth College, Yale University, Brown University and Cornell University announced a return to requiring SAT or ACT scores. Harvard University also backtracked from its two-year test-optional commitment when it announced it would require standardized test scores, effective for the Class of 2029.
It remains to be seen whether or not Columbia will waver in its decision to eliminate testing requirements for undergraduate admissions.
Meanwhile, admitted students should expect some disruptions to on-campus programming due to current pro-Palestine protests at Columbia, which have escalated in recent days with over 100 demonstrators arrested on Columbia’s campus.
Rising political tensions on-campus may result in more waitlist activity this year, as students admitted during the Regular Decision cycle still have time to weigh their options before the May 1st commitment deadline. However, Columbia is not the only prestigious university experiencing unrest as similar protests — and subsequent arrests and suspensions — have rocked institutions such as Yale University, Pomona College and New York University.
TTA Takeaway: While other Ivy League universities have recently made rapid moves away from test-optional policies, Columbia has remained steadfast in its decision to go permanently test-optional. Of course, there’s still a chance this could change as pressure from peer institutions mounts. We always advise students to read between the lines of testing policies as many still show strong preferences towards applicants who submit scores. Overall, application and acceptance rate numbers are stabilizing among the Ivies.
At Top Tier Admissions, we are committed to making the college admissions process more transparent. Easy access to clear data helps families understand trends in college admissions to make more informed decisions. We’re collecting acceptance rate data at selective schools and providing insight and analysis of our own. For historical data, see our collection of Ivy League and Top College Acceptance Rates and Admissions Statistics, including the Class of 2028 Ivy League admissions data and admissions stats for a range of additional selective schools.
Want To Read More About Columbia?
- Columbia’s Supplemental Essay Prompts
- Columbia’s 2027 Acceptance Rate
- Columbia Unranked: Interpreting College Rankings
- Get into Columbia University
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