Morningside Heights

Between Broadway and Amsterdam, from 114th to 120th Street, Columbia students find a place in which to discover themselves. Nestled in the neighborhood of Morningside Heights, bordered by three parks and the Hudson River, they enjoy an intimate campus that they can truly call home during their time here and long after they leave. 

Welcome to the neighborhood.

Our little slice of Manhattan is a place where Columbia students become part of something larger, and where the most exciting city in the world is just a short subway ride away.

Our Campus

From brownstones and traditional residence halls to unique living communities for students who share common interests, Columbia undergraduates make the most of the largest residential campus in Manhattan: 

From the 116th Street subway station to Alma Mater overlooking Low Plaza, our campus welcomes students to the Columbia community while all of New York City beckons just outside the gates.

See yourself here. 

Whether you want to get to know the neighborhood in person or visit virtually from the comfort of your own home, we’ve got you covered. 

Explore Visit Options

Students at an outdoor market
student:

Morningside Heights has the convenience of a small 'college town' atmosphere in one of the biggest cities in the country. I get to run into friends and professors while just walking across campus.

Kianna
P.
Farmington, NM
Ethnicity and Race Studies (specialization in Indigenous/Native Studies), Political Science
Two students peruse offerings outside of Book Culture in Morningside Heights
Two students sit outside the Hungarian Pastry Shop in Morningside Heights

Our Neighborhood

Full of green spaces, coffee shops, extraordinary restaurants and eclectic hangouts, Morningside Heights is a character-rich, culturally diverse enclave with a friendly face on every corner and where, in no time at all, “I’m here” gives way to “I’m home.”

  • 50+ restaurants and cafés in Morningside Heights
  • 3 public parks
  • 15 transit lines within walking distance of campus 

Morningside Heights FAQs

How accessible is the subway?

Columbia is located directly on the #1 subway line and various bus routes. On the #1 train, students can get to Times Square in approximately 20 minutes, go uptown to Columbia's Medical Center in 15 minutes and get to Columbia's Baker Field Athletic Complex at the northern tip of Manhattan in 25 minutes. The #1 train connects to many other subway and bus lines throughout the city for easy transfers.

How can I take advantage of everything I want to do in New York City on a student budget?

New York City has something for everyone, which is why it is so often rated as one of the best college towns in the nation. It is full of hidden treasures that offer an inexpensive, yet unique array of food, shopping and entertainment. Some of the most creative culinary experiences are intimate restaurants within a few blocks from campus. Websites such as NYC Visit's Go Local operate as a service for New Yorkers to get the most out of their city.

There are also a variety of email lists that help students gain free access to opportunities such as going to a major motion picture premiere. There are yearly bargains such as New York Restaurant Week, which gives students a budget-friendly taste of some of the finest establishments in the city. Columbia helps students explore the opportunities in New York by providing discounted and free tickets to many events around the city through the Columbia Arts Initiative.

Academics

Across departments, schools and institutes, Columbians at every level are driven by a passion for discovery, working in the service of improving human understanding and the advancement of our global society.

FAQs

Whether it’s finding the right program for you or navigating the application and financial aid process, we’ve got the answers you need. 

How to Apply

The college application process is a time for reflection, research, aspiration and organization. When you’re ready to begin your Columbia journey, we’re ready to help, every step of the way.