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Ivy League Private research university New York, NY

Columbia University Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate

3.9%

4 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants

60,377

Undergraduate pool

Total Admitted

2,355

Offers extended

Enrolled Freshmen

1,550

Yield: 65.8%

Middle 50% SAT

1490-1570

25th-75th Percentile

Middle 50% ACT

34-35

Composite score

Average High School GPA

3.97

Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to Columbia University

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against Columbia's accepted cohort.

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Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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Target College / University

Unweighted High School GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.85

Standardized Test Score

Composite SAT Score 1480

Residency Status

Harvard University

Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%

Reach School

Estimated Admission Likelihood

6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)

Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)

Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:

Your GPA vs School Avg

3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg

Your SAT vs Mid-50%

1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %

Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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Columbia Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale

Composite Total Range 1490 – 1570

Reading & Writing (EBRW) 730 – 780

Math Section 760 – 800

Current Testing Policy Test-Optional permanently

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA

ACT Composite 25th Percentile 34

ACT Composite 75th Percentile 35

Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.97 / 4.00

Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline January 1

Early Application Deadline November 1

Early Admissions Plan Type Early Decision

Application Fee $85 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $65,524 / year

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $65,524 / year

Institutional Type Private research university

Official Admissions Portal Visit Columbia

Columbia University Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for Columbia.

What is the acceptance rate for Columbia University?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for Columbia University (Columbia) is approximately 3.9%. For every 100 applicants, around 4 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into Columbia?

Admitted students to Columbia typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.97 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for Columbia?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1490 to 1570. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 34 to 35. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for Columbia University?

The regular decision application deadline for Columbia University is January 1. Early applicants typically submit their materials by November 1 under the Early Decision admissions plan.

Is Columbia test-optional in 2025-2026?

Columbia University's testing policy status: Test-Optional permanently. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.

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