OpenField
United States · New York · Ivy League Premier Research University · Reviewed 14 October 2026

Columbia University in the City of New York

Established in 1754 as King's College, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York State and a founding member of the Ivy League. Ranked consistently among the top 15 universities in the world, Columbia is the birthplace of FM radio, the laser, MRI technology, and the Manhattan Project's early foundations. Operating state-of-the-art facilities across Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and the Irving Medical Center, Columbia provides guaranteed multi-year funding packages for doctoral candidates, world-leading professional master's degrees, and distinguished faculty. Explore verified academic opportunities and admissions guidance.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Conferred Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a strong academic transcript (typically 3.5+ GPA for competitive STEM and data science programs).
Doctoral admission eligibility
Undergraduate or Master's degree in an aligned discipline with exceptional academic achievement, demonstrable research capability, and strong faculty alignment.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 7.5 overall or TOEFL iBT 100+ (sub-scores 24+ recommended); required for applicants whose primary language of instruction was not English.
Research statement / Proposal
Concise 2 to 3-page Statement of Academic Purpose detailing specific research inquiries, methodology, relevant laboratory experience, and faculty members of interest.
Application fee
USD $110 to $120 application fee submitted through Columbia GSAS or SEAS application portals; fee waivers available for eligible applicants.
Required documentation
Complete official electronic transcripts, curriculum vitae, 3 confidential letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and writing sample where required.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

All admitted PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) receive full financial support for up to five years. This guaranteed funding package includes a 100% tuition waiver, full payment of mandatory health fees and comprehensive health insurance premiums, and an annual living stipend of USD $45,000 to $48,000 per year.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Columbia University:

Dr. Kathleen McKeown

Henry and Gertrude Rothschild Professor of Computer Science & Founding Director of Data Science Institute; specializing in Natural Language Processing, Text Summarization, Conversational AI.

Dr. Philip Kim

Professor of Physics & Applied Physics; specializing in Graphene, Mesoscopic Physics, Quantum Hall Effect.

Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic

University Professor & Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering; specializing in Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells, Organ-on-a-Chip.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official Columbia University documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue