Columbia University

Just a decade or so ago, Columbia University was not considered part of the "top-tier" category. Today, it rivals HYPS (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford) and enjoys a reputation befitting its standing. According to the widely referenced U.S. News and World Report rankings, Columbia currently sits in 2nd place.

Think about it—a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Manhattan, New York. What more needs to be said? Unlike traditional Ivy League campuses in relatively smaller towns like Cambridge (Harvard), New Haven (Yale), or Princeton (Princeton), Columbia offers the unparalleled cultural and lifestyle opportunities of Manhattan, making it an excellent choice for Korean students accustomed to city life.

Columbia has an outstanding undergraduate engineering program compared to other Ivy League schools on the East Coast. Like its peers, Columbia emphasizes a holistic educational experience through its Core Curriculum.

"Columbia students seem to be individuals who want a traditional humanities education without having to live in a remote college town."

A first-year student at Columbia

---

Situated in Manhattan, Columbia University represents a dream school for many Korean students.​

Columbia's Educational Approach

To truly understand Columbia's educational philosophy, it is essential to discuss its Core Curriculum. Among Ivy League schools, Columbia’s introductory courses, Contemporary Civilization and Literature Humanities, are considered some of the most rigorous.

Contemporary Civilization has been a cornerstone of Columbia’s curriculum for decades.

Both courses run for a full year, taught by professors in small classes. Contemporary Civilization focuses on political and ethical philosophy, spanning from Plato to 20th-century philosophers like Camus. Literature Humanities explores approximately 26 classical works from Homer and Dostoevsky to modern writers like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison.

Additionally, students must take one semester of art or music history, demonstrate foreign language proficiency, complete two semesters each of science and physical education, a writing course, and two additional Global Core courses. Even engineering or science majors must complete at least half of the Core Curriculum.

Columbia attracts many students aiming for graduate school or professional degrees (law, medicine, dentistry) but remains deeply committed to liberal arts education. Korean students who primarily focused on exam preparation during high school may find Columbia's humanities-focused curriculum particularly challenging. Many of my former students who experienced weak high school curricula often struggled initially with Columbia’s emphasis on humanities and foundational thinking.

Even engineering students at Columbia receive a fundamentally liberal arts-based education rather than purely technical training.

"Come to Columbia prepared to be an average student and be satisfied with that."

A Financial Economics major at Columbia

---

​ Courses at Columbia are notoriously demanding, with substantial workloads and fierce competition among students. However, these demanding standards ensure that Columbia's undergraduate programs rank among the best nationwide.

Columbia boasts one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios. Around 83% of classes have fewer than 20 students. However, this intimate setting can be challenging for Korean students, especially those from specialized high schools or international backgrounds who may feel uncomfortable actively participating in discussions. Students should consider this carefully when choosing a university. ​

Living in New York City

​ Due to Columbia's Manhattan location, around 93% of students live in university housing to avoid expensive apartment rentals. (A friend who graduated from Columbia Law School currently pays around $2,800 monthly, approximately 3.3 million won, sharing an apartment.)

Many dormitory rooms are singles, allowing students to live without roommates throughout their four years if desired.

"Despite receiving a low dorm lottery number, I managed to get a room with air conditioning and a view of the Empire State Building."

A sophomore at Columbia

---

Columbia’s annual tuition is $64,380, approximately $10,000 higher than most American universities. However, considering dormitory costs are around $14,970—similar to other schools—this expense is reasonable for four years in Manhattan. But remember, general living costs are higher here.

Plenty of University Housing is available around Columbia’s campus.

Renting outside university housing could cost approximately $30,000 per year.

Safety-wise, the neighborhood around Columbia can be quite dangerous. Even students living near campus need to be cautious when commuting, especially at night. However, the campus itself remains safe, and Columbia has recently implemented measures to ensure daytime safety.

Morningside Heights ​

Campus Environment

Columbia has the highest racial diversity among Ivy League schools.

The university scores significantly above the national average in terms of diversity.

Like most top-tier American universities, Columbia students are politically progressive and outspoken about their beliefs, perhaps influenced by their location in New York.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is also a Columbia alumnus.

"Columbia students love voicing their opinions and views."

A biology major at Columbia

---

Around 24% of male students and 16% of female students join fraternities or sororities, a slightly rising trend, but no single activity dominates campus life. Students are notably uninterested in athletic events.

Students frequently cite the ability to combine campus events with the cultural offerings of New York City as Columbia’s greatest strength. However, they also note that demanding academics can limit time for exploration, and students must proactively seek activities and opportunities. ​

Acceptance Rate: 5.9% ​ SAT Math Scores 25th percentile - 740 SAT Math Scores 75th percentile - 800 SAT English Scores 25th percentile - 710 SAT English Scores 75th percentile - 760