After four years, about 88% graduate from Columbia. 95% will go on to graduate in six years. A majority of students decide to stay at Columbia after Freshman year, resulting in a 98%% first year retention rate.

Many faculty members at the university are top in their field. They include winners of the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, MacArthur Foundation Award, National Academy of Sciences, and more. Columbia has a student to faculty ratio of 6 to 1 and one of the highest average faculty salaries in the United States.

A diverse university, Columbia sees students from all over the world as well as freshman from New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and California. Students can attend programs such as distance learning, study abroad, or ROTC (Army, Air Force, and Navy).

Academic Profile for 2024

Four Year Graduation Rate
88%

Six Year Graduation Rate
95%

Eight Year Graduation Rate
96%

Student to Faculty Ratio
6 to 1

First Year Retention Rate
98%


Distribution of Students per State

for the first-year class of
1,521
students in 2020

(Hover in each state to view details of distribution)

None
1 To 5
6 To 15
16 To 25
26 To 50
51 and Above

Student Race, Ethnicity, and Age Information


Total Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity for the 2022 school year

Students Total
8,811

Total Enrollment by Age for the 2021 school year

Students Total
8,833

Other Learning Opportunities
Distance learning
Graduate level programs or courses are offered via distance education
Undergraduate level programs or courses are offered via distance education
Special learning
ROTC - Air Force
ROTC - Army
ROTC - Navy
Study abroad


Accreditation

Institutional

Sort By:


Agency Period of Accreditation Status
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
07/01/1921 - Current
Accredited
Specialized

Sort By:


Agency / Program Period of Accreditation Status
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
[Nurse Midwifery (MIDWF) - Basic certificate and graduate nurse-midwifery education programs for registered nurses (School of Nursing)]
05/03/1972 - Current
Accredited
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
[Law (LAW) - Professional schools]
07/01/1923 - Current
Accredited
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
[Dental Assisting (DA)]
01/30/1998 - Current
Accredited
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
[Endodontics]
12/09/1966 - Current
Renewal of Accreditation
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
[Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics]
12/09/1966 - Current
Renewal of Accreditation
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
[Periodontics]
12/09/1966 - Current
Renewal of Accreditation
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
[Prosthodontics (including maxillofacial prosthetics and combined prosthodontics/maxillofacial prosthetics)]
12/09/1966 - Current
Renewal of Accreditation
American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
[Occupational Therapy (OT) - Professional Programs (Neurological Institute)]
07/01/1943 - Current
Accredited
American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
[Occupational Therapy (OTM) - Programs leading to a Master's Degree]
07/01/1943 - Current
Accredited
American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
[Physical Therapy (PT) - Professional programs for the physical therapist]
01/01/1944 - Current
Accredited
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
[Health Services Administration (HSA) - Graduate programs in health services administration]
11/10/2008 - Current
Accredited
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
[Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels]
04/22/2014 - Current
Accredited
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
[Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels]
04/21/2001 - Current
Accredited
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
[Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels]
04/21/2004 - Current
Accredited
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
[English Language (American Language Program)]
04/30/2014 - Current
Accredited
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
[Nurse Anesthesia (ANEST) - Institutions and programs at the master's degree, post master's certificate or doctoral degree levels]
07/01/1979 - Current
Renewal of Accreditation
Council on Education for Public Health
[Public Health (PHG) - Graduate level school of public health]
12/19/1946 - Current
Accredited
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
[Medicine (MED) - Programs leading to the M.D. degree]
07/01/1942 - Current
Accredited

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