Graduate Programs at Columbia University in the City of New York

Top graduate programs at Columbia University

Some of the top graduate programs available at Columbia University are:

• Business: Columbia Business School offers a full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, an Executive MBA (EMBA) program for experienced professionals, and a range of specialized Master of Science (MS) programs, including Business Analytics, Financial Economics, and Marketing Science.
• Engineering and Applied Science: The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science offers various Master of Science (MS) programs in fields such as Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and more. The school also offers a Ph.D. program for advanced research in engineering and applied science.
• Law: Columbia Law School offers a three-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) program for individuals seeking to become lawyers. The school also offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program for foreign-trained lawyers and a Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) program for individuals pursuing advanced legal research.
• Arts and Sciences: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provides a wide range of Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs in disciplines such as Anthropology, English and Comparative Literature, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and more. It also offers interdisciplinary programs like African-American Studies, American Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
• International Affairs and Public Policy: The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) offers a Master of International Affairs (MIA) program, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. These programs cover areas such as international relations, public policy analysis, economic and political development, energy policy, and more.
• Medicine and Health Sciences: The College of Physicians and Surgeons offers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program for aspiring physicians. The Mailman School of Public Health provides a Master of Public Health (MPH) program with various concentrations, including Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Policy and Management, and more. The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science (MS) in Nursing program with specializations like Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, and Nurse Anesthesia.
• Journalism: The Graduate School of Journalism offers a Master of Science (MS) in Journalism program, preparing students for careers in print, broadcast, and digital media. The program covers reporting, writing, multimedia storytelling, ethics, and media law.
• Social Work: The School of Social Work offers a Master of Science (MS) in Social Work program, providing education and training for aspiring social workers to address social issues and promote social justice.
• Architecture and Planning: The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation offers a Master of Architecture (MArch) program for individuals pursuing a professional degree in architecture. The school also provides a Master of Science in Urban Planning (MSUP) program, focusing on urban design, land use planning, community development, and sustainable cities.

Acceptance Rate at Columbia University for Graduate Students

Columbia University's graduate admission rates vary greatly by degree, with highly competitive professions such as law and business retaining extremely low acceptance rates due to its distinguished staff and extensive programs that attract top-tier students from across the world. In contrast, fields in arts, sciences, and engineering have slightly higher acceptance rates due to more available spaces, but they nevertheless maintain a competitive edge, garnering a large number of applications due to the university's prestigious reputation.

In 2021, the MS in Data Science had a 6.5% admission rate, while the rates for economics and international relations were 8% and 10%, respectively. The School of International and Public Affairs had a much lower rate of 5-6%, with 9,000 applications for 500 slots. In contrast, sectors such as education, social work, and public health had somewhat higher acceptance rates, staying competitive at 14%, 10-12%, and about 15%, respectively.

Over the previous decade, competition for all graduate programs at Columbia has increased, with admission rates typically dropping by 2-3 percentage points every year. The narrowing of acceptance rates can be linked to Columbia's growing global prominence, an increase in the quantity of applicants, and the limiting capacity of its programs. Applicants looking to improve their chances of admission should become familiar with the specific demands of their desired programs, such as expected GPA and test scores, in order to tailor their applications effectively. Recognize that, while master's programs may be slightly less competitive than MBA or PhD programs, they still require high academic and professional standards.

The graduate acceptance rate at Columbia University is 7.3%. But, please note that the acceptance rates can also vary depending on the specific graduate program or school within Columbia University.

The number of students enrolled in graduate programs at Columbia University for the year 2022 is outlined as follows:

- Architecture, Planning, & Preservation: Total graduate students enrolled are 798

• Masters: 740
• Doctoral: 48
• Certificate and non-degree: 10

- Arts: Total graduate students enrolled are 850

• Masters: 850
• Doctoral: 0
• Certificate and non-degree: 0

- Business: Total graduate students enrolled are 2,396

• Masters: 2,255
• Doctoral: 119
• Certificate and non-degree: 22

- Climate: Total graduate students enrolled are 80

• Masters: 80
• Doctoral: 0
• Certificate and non-degree: 0

- Engineering: Total graduate students enrolled are 5,512

• Masters: 4,511
• Doctoral: 892
• Certificate and non-degree: 109

- Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: Total graduate students enrolled are 3,679

• Masters: 1,980
• Doctoral: 1,596
• Certificate and non-degree: 103

- International & Public Affairs: Total graduate students enrolled are 1,526

• Masters: 1,493
• Doctoral: 32
• Certificate and non-degree: 1

- Journalism: Total graduate students enrolled are 299

• Masters: 258
• Doctoral: 27
• Certificate and non-degree: 14 

- Law: Total graduate students enrolled are 1,717

• Masters: 301
• Doctoral: 1,358
• Certificate and non-degree: 58 

- Professional Studies: Total graduate students enrolled are 4,021

• Masters: 3,472
• Doctoral: 0
• Certificate and non-degree: 549 

- Social Work: Total graduate students enrolled are 1,185

• Masters: 1,185
• Doctoral: 38
• Certificate and non-degree: 10

Are there accelerated master’s programs or one-year master's programs available at Columbia University?

Columbia University offers several one-year master's and accelerated master's programs across different disciplines. These programs are designed to provide an intensive and focused education within a shorter timeframe. Here are a few examples:

Columbia Business School: Master of Science in Financial Economics (M.S.F.E.): This one-year program provides rigorous training in financial economics and is designed for students with a strong background in quantitative subjects.

• School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA): Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) Accelerated Program: This program allows exceptional SIPA undergraduate students to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years, rather than the traditional six years.
• Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation: Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) Advanced Standing: This program is for students who already hold a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree and allows them to complete the M.Arch. degree in two semesters instead of the typical three.
• Advanced Standing Programs: The School of Social Work offers accelerated programs for students who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program. These programs allow students to complete their Master of Science in Social Work (M.S.S.W.) degree in less time than traditional programs.

Are transfer credits evaluated and accepted by Columbia for graduate programs from other institutions?

Students may request to transfer graduate credit from courses taken at another institution within the past seven years. Students must first petition the appropriate graduate program coordinator. Petitions must include an official course description from the transferring college catalog and course syllabus.

What is the policy on early decision and early action for Columbia Graduate programs?

Remember to think about applying Early Decision if Columbia is your top choice and you are prepared to make a legally binding commitment to attend if accepted. To utilize:

• Apply for first-year admission by November 1st.
• deliver a signed Early Decision contract.
• For those applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, tests are not required. Candidates for Early Decision who decide to take the test may self-report their results up until the November test dates. For more information, please see our policy on standardized testing.
• The Early Decision agreement must be completed on the Common Application website by applicants submitting the Common Application. After submitting their application, Coalition and Quest Bridge applicants will discover the Early Decision agreement on their applicant status page.

What career paths do Columbia graduate students typically pursue, and what are their post-master's degree employment destinations and salary ranges?

The salary of a Columbia University master's graduate can vary depending on several factors, including the specific program of study, industry, location, level of experience, and individual achievements. While it is difficult to provide precise salary figures, I can offer some general salary estimates based on industry averages and reported data:

• Business and Finance: Graduates from Columbia Business School or related finance programs may expect starting salaries ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on the role and industry. With experience and career progression, salaries can increase significantly, potentially reaching six figures or higher.
• Technology and Engineering: Master's graduates in computer science, data science, or engineering fields may earn starting salaries ranging from $70,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on the specific role and industry. Salaries can increase with experience and specialization, with some professionals earning well over six figures.
• Healthcare and Public Health: Salaries in healthcare administration, public health, and related fields can vary depending on the position and organization. Entry-level salaries typically range from $60,000 to $90,000 per year, with the potential for higher salaries as individuals gain experience and assume more senior roles.
• Journalism and Media: Salaries in journalism and media fields can vary widely depending on the type of organization and the role. Entry-level salaries for journalism professionals may range from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, with higher salaries possible as individuals progress in their careers and take on more prominent positions.