Columbia University
New York, United States
Founded1754
Updated February 5, 2026
Overview
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university in New York City with a history spanning over 270 years. The institution is defined by its intellectual rigor, open inquiry, and a commitment to the public good. It is composed of three primary undergraduate schools—Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), and the School of General Studies (GS)—alongside fifteen graduate and professional schools.
Columbia is particularly well-known for its distinctive Core Curriculum, established in 1919, which provides a shared foundation in the liberal arts for its students. The university seeks to address global issues by attracting a diverse international community and maintaining a strong connection to its urban environment. Its mission emphasizes linking academic excellence with the needs of the metropolis and the broader world.
Location
Columbia University is primarily situated in New York City, with its main campus located at 116th Street and Broadway in the Morningside Heights neighborhood. This urban setting is central to the university's identity, allowing it to link academic work directly to the metropolis.
Beyond Morningside Heights, the university has expanded its footprint with additional campuses in Manhattanville and the Medical Center located in Washington Heights. The university also maintains a global presence through specialized research and study locations, including the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and international centers like Reid Hall in Paris.
New York, United States
Campuses
Morningside Campus
MainNew York· United States
Campus Culture
Student life at Columbia is defined by a commitment to academic integrity, with all undergraduates bound by an Honor Code and Honor Pledge. The community is supported by various student leadership bodies, including the Columbia College Student Council (CCSC) and the Engineering Student Council (ESC). The university attracts a diverse international body of students and faculty, fostering a global perspective on campus.
Extracurricular and global engagement is a hallmark of the student experience. Through the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE), students can participate in study abroad programs at locations such as Reid Hall in Paris and Casa Muraro in Venice. Additionally, the university maintains a strong connection to its local community through initiatives like the Double Discovery Center, which supports first-generation college-bound youth in New York City.
Rankings
Columbia University maintains a prestigious reputation across various disciplines. Its Business School’s MBA program was recognized as the 2025 MBA Program of the Year by Poets&Quants, and the School of Nursing ranked #2 among U.S. nursing schools for NIH funding in 2025. The Columbia Video Network (CVN) is also recognized as a top-ranked graduate online engineering program.
The university's academic excellence is further reflected in its career outcomes and specialized programs. For instance, 95% of Mailman School of Public Health graduates are employed or continuing their education shortly after graduation. Additionally, the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program is the oldest and largest of its kind in the U.S., maintaining a medical school placement rate of up to 90%.
Research
Columbia is a major research powerhouse with significant contributions to the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It has played a central role in quantum science for a century and continues to lead in modern fields through the establishment of the Columbia Climate School. The university's research infrastructure includes the Columbia University Libraries, one of the top five academic research libraries in North America, and specialized facilities like the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
The institution hosts several pioneering departments, including the oldest Anthropology department in the United States and one of the world's largest Art History and Archaeology departments. Research expenditure is notable in the medical field, with the School of Nursing being a top recipient of NIH research grants. Columbia also focuses on innovative technology, such as the dual M.S. in Journalism and Computer Science and policies regarding the constructive use of generative AI in education.