Quick Information
| Tuition Fee | USD 70,170 per year for international students (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
| Application Link | Apply via the official page |
| Official Source | https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/international |
Why Columbia University stands out
Columbia University is a private research university in New York City, with its main campus in Manhattan. It is home to one of the most internationally diverse student bodies in the United States, and its undergraduate admissions staff have experience evaluating applications from a wide range of countries, educational backgrounds and school systems. Students study in the heart of a global city, with access to museums, research institutes, hospitals, businesses and cultural life, and can choose from programmes across the arts and sciences, engineering, business, law, medicine and public health.
What you can study
Undergraduates apply to Columbia College or the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, studying subjects from engineering and computer science to economics, political science, literature and the natural sciences. At graduate level, Columbia offers master’s and doctoral degrees through its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and professional schools, including business, law, medicine, public health, journalism, architecture and international affairs.
International admissions
Columbia’s admissions process is largely the same for everyone, regardless of citizenship or country of residence. All applications are reviewed by region, and Columbia accepts all secondary school curricula, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels and national school curricula. Documents not in English must be officially translated, and applicants must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English. Full details are on the official international applicants page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the application process different for international students at Columbia?
Columbia states that its admissions process is largely the same for everyone regardless of citizenship or country of residence, with applications reviewed by region and within the context of the applicant’s curriculum.
How much is tuition at Columbia?
Undergraduate tuition is USD 70,170 per year for 2025-26, according to Columbia’s Office of Planning and Institutional Research. Mandatory fees, housing and food are charged in addition.
Can international students transfer to Columbia?
Yes. Columbia welcomes applications from international transfer students, but to be eligible as a transfer an applicant must be enrolled in a college in North America or in a United States-style college abroad.
Do I need an English proficiency test?
Columbia requires applicants to be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English and has an English language proficiency requirement. Check the official admissions page for the current accepted tests and scores.
What visa do international students need?
An F-1 or comparable student visa is required for all international students who attend Columbia, and admitted students receive information about applying for a visa in their acceptance materials. Check the official pages for current guidance.