Having broad representation of perspectives—in our residence halls, our labs and classrooms, and across our campus—is critical to Columbia’s culture. The more voices we hear, the more we learn and the better we understand. So we seek out intellectually curious minds from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds—across the country and around the world—who will contribute to, and profit from the Core Curriculum and the total Columbia experience.
$2,000
Start-up grant for incoming first-year students from low-income families
Free tuition
for students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $150,000 (and typical assets)
$0
Parent contribution for students coming from families with incomes of less than $66,000 annually (and typical assets)
No loans
Loans are not used to meet financial need or included in initial financial aid awards
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia, not your ability to pay for it. We are committed to making Columbia’s opportunities accessible for all our students. If cost is a concern for your family, we encourage you to apply for financial aid. Learn more about the Types of Aid you may receive in your financial aid award.
If your family’s annual income is less than $150,000 (with typical assets), you will be able to attend Columbia tuition-free.
Columbia typically awards over $200 million in scholarships and grants. In fact, we offer some of the most generous financial aid of any college in the United States, and students are often surprised by how much they receive. In many instances, Columbia is actually more affordable than public colleges and universities.
Financial aid packages consist of work study, as well as grants, which are need-based scholarships that do not have to be paid back. There are no loans included in your financial aid package, and you can graduate debt-free.
We are need-blind for US citizens, eligible non-citizens and undocumented students, which means you are considered for admission without regard for your ability to pay for your education. Foreign citizens applying for aid are reviewed in a more need-aware process, but many of our foreign citizens receive significant financial aid.
49%
of undergraduates receive financial aid
17%
of first-year students are the first generation in their families to go to college
$63,971
average financial aid grants and scholarships for first-year students
2,200+
students to date have participated in our Funding Programs or Work Exemption Program
If you’re a first-year student or a transfer student pursuing your first degree, Columbia covers 100 percent of your demonstrated need for all four years that you are here.
If your family’s annual income is less than $66,000 a year (and typical assets), your parents are not expected to contribute to the cost of attendance. Almost 50 percent of financial aid recipients have a parent contribution under $5,000. Incoming first-year students from low-income families will receive a start-up grant of $2,000 to ease their transition to college.
Leveraging Columbia's free Passport to Museums program has quite literally opened doors to several museums I never knew I could visit.
Cost shouldn't be a barrier to making the most of Columbia's opportunities—on campus, in New York or around the globe. From your residence hall to the Center for Career Education, there are resources on campus to allow you to take advantage of everything Columbia has to offer.
