As the only Ivy League school with roots in Manhattan, New York City, Columbia University has consistently demonstrated its ‘ivory tower’ selection criteria with an acceptance rate of around 4%. The Class of 2028 has set a new record for Columbia University’s acceptance rate: only 3.8% of the 60,248 applications received were granted a ticket to the school, translating to only 1 in every 25 talented applicants. What exactly does this temple, home to 101 Nobel Prize winners, look for in an elite selection process? Is it the aura of genius that comes with a perfect SAT score, or is it the unique humanistic vision of the Hudson River? When the acceptance rate of Columbia University has been ‘not the lowest but lower’ for five consecutive years, how can applicants build an unrepeatable competitiveness in documents and activities? In this article, we will penetrate the cold data, analyse the unspoken screening logic of Columbia’s admissions office, and predict the future trend through the admissions curve of the past ten years.
What is the acceptance rate for Columbia University?
| Class of | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Overall Rate | RD Rate | ED Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2028 | 60,248 | 2,319 | 3.80% | 2.90% | 12% |
| 2027 | 57,129 | 2,246 | 3.90% | 2.70% | 14.60% |
| 2026 | 60,377 | 2,253 | 3.70% | 2.70% | 12.50% |
| 2025 | 60,551 | 2,355 | 3.90% | 2.90% | 11.90% |
Columbia University is one of the top universities in the world, and its acceptance rate for undergraduate programs is perennially extremely low. This low acceptance rate reflects a high academic reputation and intense competition for admission. In recent years, the acceptance rate of Columbia University has been consistently low, with the 2028 class (entering in autumn 2024) exceeding 60,000 applicants and the acceptance rate at a record low of only 3.8%. The acceptance rate of Columbia University for the class of 2027 is 3.9%. There is more data for you to look at. The acceptance rate for the 2026 class was 3.73%. For the 2025 class, it was 3.66%, and for the 2024 class, due to the adjustment of standardised test policies in the early stages of the epidemic, the acceptance rate rose slightly to 6.1%, but it is still far lower than most Ivy League schools.
As one of the Ivy League in New York, Columbia University attracts many talents due to its core curriculum, interdisciplinary research resources, and global network. University data shows that more than 90% of those admitted ranked in the top 10% of their high school grades and generally had outstanding research, entrepreneurial or social innovation experiences. Applicants must submit their materials through Columbia College or the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), which share the same admissions criteria. Applicants are advised to use their essays to demonstrate depth of thought and uniqueness rather than to list accomplishments.
Test-optional policy of Columbia University
Columbia University has adopted a test-optional admission policy starting in 2020, initially in response to pandemic-related testing disruptions and extending it indefinitely for undergraduate applicants. According to this policy, the candidates can decide whether to submit the SAT/ACT score by themselves, without penalty for non-submission. Columbia University emphasizes a holistic review process and pays attention to your academic performance, including the level of your high school courses and GPA trends, extracurricular activity participation, leadership, personal statement, and recommendation letters.
According to the latest data from the university, 50% of applicants for the class of 2027 have not submitted the standardized test scores, but 95% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes. This phenomenon reflects that even though the acceptance rate of Columbia University is kept low, the university continued to focus on academic excellence despite mandatory test requirements.
Columbia University Admission Requirements
Columbia University’s acceptance rate is highly competitive, and the assessment system is comprehensive. Admitted students with an average unweighted GPA of 4.15 (equivalent to full A to A+ academic performance), an average SAT score of 1524(reading and writing of 760 and mathematics of 764), an average ACT score of 35, these three hard metrics rank in the top 1% of colleges and universities in the United States, fully reflecting the rigor of its academic selections. The low acceptance rate of Columbia University means you need to try your best to get a higher score on the standardized test to make yourself more competitive.
Besides the Standardized test score, Columbia University requires applicants to submit two recommendation letters from the subject matter faculty and a supplemental personal statement. Prepare a thoughtful, personal essay to increase your chances of admission to Columbia University. The “Why Columbia” and “Community Contribution” in the essay are particularly critical and should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the core curriculum concepts and humanistic concerns. To reflect on your actual thoughts and make the Columbia University admissions officers know you better.
Columbia University Acceptance Rates: Early Decision vs. Regular Decision
The difference between the Columbia University early decision acceptance rate and the regular decision has continued to draw attention in recent years. Taking the last four undergraduate first-year classes, ED acceptance rates for the Classes of 2025 through 2028 show fluctuating trends. The Columbia University ED acceptance rate for the class of 2025 is 11.9%, Slight increase to 12.5% in 2026. For the class of 2027, Columbia University’s early decision acceptance rate climbed significantly to 14.6%, which reached the highest point in recent years, but then fell back to 12%. This change sharply contrasts with the Columbia University regular decision acceptance rate.
Taking the acceptance rate for the class of 2027 as an example, the overall acceptance rate is only 3.9%, but the Columbia University ED acceptance rate is 14.6%, which showcases the significant advantage of Columbia University’s Early Decision stage. We suggest you start early to apply for this university, and you will have a good chance of getting into this Ivy League school.
Columbia University Transfer Acceptance Rate
Columbia University is an Ivy League school and a global private research university, and its transfer rate is competitive. According to the official data about the Fall of 2023, Columbia University received 3,254 transfer applications and admitted only 329 students. Hence, this year’s Columbia University transfer acceptance rate is 10.1%, which is even lower than the undergraduate acceptance rate of some Ivy League schools.
Academic performance is important for students who propose to transfer to Columbia University. The university announced that successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.5 over 4. If you want more chances to get in, you may need a GPA of 3.8, especially for some popular majors, including Economics, Computer Science, and Psychology. It is worth noting that Columbia University pays particular attention to course difficulty. The candidates who choose high-level courses(honors, AP, IB courses) will significantly increase the competition in the low Columbia University acceptance rate.
What makes Columbia University Unique?
1. The Academic Heart of NYC
Columbia University is the only Ivy League institution in the heart of a global metropolis, New York City, seamlessly integrating top academic resources with the city’s vibrant pulse. The campus is located in Morningside Heights, not only for the halls of learning but also to connect Wall Street, United Nations Headquarters, and Broadway. Students can study Plato’s philosophy in the morning, participate in the United Nations Youth Forum in the afternoon, and listen to the symphony at Lincoln Center in the evening.
2. The well-known Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum, begun in 1919, is the soul of Columbia’s undergraduate education. Whether the students choose the majors in quantum physics or art history, all students must intensively read the Homeric Hymns, explore the Declaration of Independence, and dissect the Tao Te Ching. The data shows that 85% of alumni of Columbia University believe the core curriculum reshaped their worldview.
3. Incubators for disruptive innovation
Columbia University has always been at the forefront of the technological revolution. From the beginnings of the nuclear reactor (the core laboratory of the Manhattan Project) to modern genomics (the headquarters of the Human Genome Project). The Engineering school at Columbia University has 37 interdisciplinary laboratories, and 132 patents were born in 2022 alone. The unique point is the ‘Technology Commercialization Acceleration’ Program, which allows students to submit proposals directly to the university-run venture capital fund during the school year.
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Columbia University Acceptance Rate-Conclusion
Columbia University, as one of the Ivy League schools, its acceptance rate has continued to fall in recent years, with the undergraduate acceptance rate dropping to a record low of 3.8% for the class of 2028. This data shows the university has high competition worldwide: there are thousands of hundred applicants each year, but only less than 4% of students get accepted. The rigor of admission requirements stems not only from a high threshold of academic achievement but also focuses on the overall quality of the applicant. The overall quality includes personal experiences, leadership potential, and social responsibility. The core curriculum of Columbia University requires students to grow personally in various fields.
The students need to be aware that more international students are applying for Columbia University, increasing fierce competition. Even though the acceptance rate of Columbia University is much lower than other Ivy League schools, the school emphasizes a “holistic assessment” mechanism that encourages applicants with academic passions and personal attributes to give it a shot.
FAQ
As a top Vine school, Columbia University is highly competitive for admission and usually requires applicants to have a GPA near or above 4.0 (unweighted). If weighted (with AP/Honors courses), admitted students tend to have a GPA of 4.15, a more competitive score. However, Columbia utilizes a comprehensive assessment system where SAT/ACT (optional in recent years), essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and personal attributes are equally critical, and the ultra-low acceptance rate (about 4%) means that a high GPA is only one of the basic requirements.
Columbia and Harvard rank among the nation’s top schools in terms of admissions difficulty, with acceptance rates in recent years in the 3%-4% range and minimal differences. Both schools use a comprehensive assessment, with Harvard emphasizing leadership and global impact and Columbia tending to combine academic depth with New York resources. The admission difficulty depends more on how well an applicant’s background matches the school’s attributes than on a comparison of statistics.
Columbia University is tough to admit, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of only 3.9% in recent years, the lowest echelon in the nation. Applicants need nearly perfect academic scores (e.g., 4.1+ GPA, 1500+ SAT/34+ ACT) and demonstrate a unique perspective and academic passion through essays and letters of recommendation, as well as extracurricular accomplishments that reflect a more profound sense of impact.
Yes, Columbia University is a member of the Ivy League. The Ivy League comprises eight top private universities in the United States: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, and Columbia. Columbia University, located in New York City and founded in 1754, is one of the oldest universities in the U.S. It is known globally for its academic excellence, world-class faculty, and extensive alumni network.
Cornell University is often considered a relatively less complicated school to admit to within the Ivy League. Cornell’s acceptance rate is usually slightly higher than that of other Ivy League schools. For example, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton’s acceptance rate is usually under 5%, while Cornell’s acceptance rate may be around 7%-9%.
