Columbia University acceptance rate, scores and deadlines
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Columbia's admissions site.
Acceptance rate
Columbia acceptance rate by year
2,946 of 59,611 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 4.0% for Fall 2024.
Show the numbers
| Entering class | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 59,611 | 2,946 | 4.9% | Common Data Set |
| Fall 2024 | 60,115 | 2,400 | 4.0% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2023 | 57,613 | 2,439 | 4.2% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2022 | 60,879 | 2,404 | 4.0% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2021 | 61,110 | 2,524 | 4.1% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2020 | 40,462 | 2,695 | 6.7% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2019 | 42,823 | 2,332 | 5.5% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2018 | 40,572 | 2,399 | 5.9% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2017 | 37,673 | 2,410 | 6.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2016 | 37,009 | 2,526 | 6.8% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2015 | 36,911 | 2,438 | 6.6% | IPEDS |
2026–27 applications
Columbia deadlines for 2026–27
Apply with Common App or Coalition (Scoir) or QuestBridge. Checked October 24, 2026 on Columbia's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.
- Early decision Apply by Decisions Mid-December
- Regular decision Apply by Decisions Late March
Early rounds
Early decision and early action at Columbia
Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant. Early decision is binding: apply only if you would enroll.
Scores and GPA
Test scores and GPA at Columbia
Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.
- 4.074.9%
- 3.75–3.9920.8%
- 3.50–3.743.3%
- 3.25–3.490.9%
- 3.00–3.240.1%
- 2.50–2.990.0%
What counts
What Columbia weighs
From section C7 of Columbia's Common Data Set 2025–26.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Character
Important
- Talent or ability
Considered
- Test scores
- First-generation status
- Alumni relation
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- Interview
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Demonstrated interest
Cost
What Columbia costs
From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Columbia's net price calculator.
Compare
Colleges with a similar acceptance rate
Close to Columbia's 4.9%, from the same official data.
FAQ
Questions about Columbia admissions
What is Columbia's acceptance rate?
Columbia admitted 2,946 of 59,611 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 4.9%. That is up from 4.0% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.
Is Columbia test-optional for 2026–27?
Yes. Columbia is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.
When are Columbia's application deadlines for 2026–27?
Early decision: November 1, 2026; Regular decision: January 1, 2027. Check Columbia's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.
What SAT score do you need for Columbia?
There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 50% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1560 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.
Does applying early decision help at Columbia?
For Fall 2025, Columbia admitted 14.0% of 5,868 early decision applicants, compared with 4.9% overall. Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant.
Where the numbers come from
Sources
- Columbia University Common Data Set 2025–26
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), IPEDS admissions 2015–2024
- Columbia first-year admissions, checked October 24, 2026
Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.
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