Columbia University | United States

Rankings:

13 THE World University Rankings 2013-2014
14 THE World University Rankings 2014-2015
14 QS World University Rankings 2014
14 QS World University Rankings 2013
22 QS World University Rankings 2015
15 THE World University Rankings 2015-2016
18 QS World University Rankings 2018

Campus setting	Urban
Living cost	USD 1,500 per month
Student population	Large (More than 10,000)
International students	5%
Institution type	Private

About Columbia University

Founded in 1754 as King's College by a royal charter of King George II of England, Columbia University is one of the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Today, it stands one of the world's most important research centers as well as a renowned educational institution catering to both undergraduate and graduate students in various disciplines and fields of profession.

Located in the City of New York, the University is guided by its mission to enhance its research and teaching with the vast resources of a great metropolis. It also offers a wide array of partnerships, service-learning programs, and cultural activities, providing students with a unique learning and living experience.

The University maintains its standards through strict entrance screening and a quality educational system, and has thus produced numerous distinguished alumni. In 2017, Columbia University became the 3rd most selective college in the United States and the 2nd most selective in the Ivy League - with an acceptance rate of 5.5% - and was ranked 2nd among U.S. colleges by Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education as well as among the Ivy League schools.

Campus information

With the aim to to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level in diverse areas of study, Columbia University has a number of campuses that are involved in different disciplines.

Morningside Heights campus

Columbia University's main campus is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, occupying more than 32 acres (13 ha) in the Morningside Heights neighborhood. The Nicholas Murray Butler Library, known simply as Butler Library, is the largest of Columbia University's Libraries, housing more than two million volumes with particular pertinence to history, literature, philosophy and religion; it is also one of the largest buildings on the campus. Several other buildings on the Morningside Heights campus include Low Memorial Library, Philosophy Hall and Pupin Hall, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their archetectural and historical significance.

Columbia University Herbert and Florence Irving Medical Center (CUMC)

The Columbia University Medical Center is located in northern Manhattan in the Washington Heights neighborhood. Health-related schools, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing and Mailman School of Public Health, are all located at this campus. In this area, Columbia also owns 26-acre (11 ha) Baker Field, which includes the Lawrence A. Wien Stadium as well as facilities for field sports, outdoor track, and tennis.

Manhattanville Campus

With the intention to depart from the traditional practices of urban universities, the Manhattenville campus is designed with more open space, light, access and vitality. Situated at an industrial neighborhood to the north of the Morningside Heights campus, this campus encompasses more than 17 acres with publicly accessible open spaces, tree-lined sidewalks and innovative buildings as well as retail stores, restaurants, cultural activities and civic spaces at sidewalk level. Also to be located within this campus are buildings for Columbia's Business School, the Lenfest Center for the Arts and the Jerome L. Greene Science Center. With the new campus plan, the University seeks to create transparency that encourages shared knowledge and social engagement not only among the student population, but also with West Harlem neighbors and the general public.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Located at the west bank of the Hudson River, the 157-acre (64 ha) Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Earth Institute in Palisades, New York, is another campus of Columbia University. Here, most of the formal teaching is conducted through Columbia's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, but there are also several degree programs that are organized in partnership with other departments and schools within the university. Moreover, the Observatory is Columbia University's Earth sciences research center, where world-class researchers gather to address complex environmental issues in a number of specialised areas. Therefore, the Administration & Facilities Management at the Lamont campus maintains effective and efficient operations to serve the needs of its research and student community to ensure the smooth running of activities. Some of the services provided here include Grants & Contracts, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Shuttle Bus, Cafe, Child Care, Cleaning Operations and Housing.

Accommodation

Columbia Housing consists of traditional residence halls, apartment buildings, and brownstones. Residences are divided into the neighborhoods of South Lawn, East Campus, West Campus, and the Block.

Various types of room arrangements are offered to accommodate the needs and interests of the students. These include:

corridor-style and large suite-style buildings, primarily in singles
suites and doubles for groups or Open Housing (allows any two students to be roommates)
sorority and fraternity housing
special housing for disabled students
themed residence for special interest communities

Additionally, Summer Housing options are available for students who require such living arrangements.