Columbia Business School: Rankings, Courses, Fees, Admission 2024, Cost, Scholarships, Placements & Alumni

Columbia Business School: Rankings, Courses, Fees, Admission 2024, Cost, Scholarships, Placements & Alumni

New York City, New YorkLocation
SchoolSchool type
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1270enrollment
Public

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Shreyashi Pathak

Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated 3+ months ago

Columbia Business School (CBS) is a private Ivy League business school located in New York City, known for its strong global reputation. It consistently ranks among the top 10 MBA programs worldwide, including #8 in the QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings, #9 in the US Best Business School Ranking, and #2 in The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking. Popular programs among international students include the MBA, MS in Data Science, MS in Computer Science, and MS in Business Analytics. Annual tuition fees for international students range from USD 54,496 to USD 91,172 (INR 47.6 L to INR 79.7 L).

To gain admission, students typically need a high GPA of 90% and a GMAT score of 700 or above, along with around 5 years of work experience. CBS graduates enjoy strong career outcomes, with an impressive 95% of students securing employment within 3 months of graduation. The university’s placement record reflects a diverse range of opportunities across consulting, finance, technology, and other top global firms.

Also Check: Student Guide to study in USA


Columbia Business School Rankings

The table below showcases Columbia Business School’s rankings across several reputed global and US-based ranking bodies. These rankings reflect the school’s strong reputation in MBA, executive, and specialized master’s programs.

Ranking Body Ranking 2025-26
QS International Trade Executive MBA Rankings #5
QS US Full-Time MBA Rankings #5
QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings #8
QS World University Rankings - Masters in Marketing #5
US Best Business School Ranking #9
The financial Times Global Mba Ranking #2

Columbia Business School Popular Courses

The institute offers a plethora of courses for international students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Students can choose from an MBA, executive MBA, or Master of Science Program, among many other programs offered by Columbia Business School.

The 20-month MBA program at Columbia Business School is designed to be completed over four terms or two academic years. Students opting for the August Entry program will be able to take advantage of the in-semester summer internship opportunities.

Course Name Duration Tuition Fees (in USD) Tuition Fees (in INR)
MS in Data Science (1.5 k views) 1 Year USD 65,640 INR 57.4 L
MS Computer Science (1.0 k views) 1 Year USD 65,640 INR 57.4 L
MBA (860 views) 2 Years USD 91,172 INR 79.7 L
MS Business Analytics (713 views) 1 Year USD 88,632 INR 77.5 L
M Arch (530 views) 3 Years USD 67,680 INR 59.2 L
MPH (463 views) 2 Years USD 54,496 INR 47.6 L
LLM (385 views) 1 Year USD 81,888 INR 71.6 L
MS Financial Economics (385 views) 1 Year USD 73,064 INR 63.9 L
MA in Journalism (318 views) 9 months USD 71,328 INR 62.4 L
MS Marketing Science (258 views) 1 Year USD 77,156 INR 67.5 L

Columbia Business School Acceptance Rate

Columbia Business School is quite selective in its selection process, with an acceptance rate of 21% for the class of 2026. This means that about one in five applicants are admitted. As per official data for the Class of 2026, Columbia Business School received over 7,400 applications, enrolling around 972 students. The average GMAT score of admitted students is 726, with an average GPA of 3.6. About 40% of the class are international students representing more than 50 countries, and the average work experience of admitted candidates is 5 years.


Columbia Business School Campus

Columbia Business School campus is in Uris Hall, at the center of Columbia Univs Morningside Heights campus. The building has schools for graduates, research centers, housing and community spaces.

Columbia Business School Campus

Columbia Business School Campus Life

  • The Columbia business school campus can easily be reached by car, train or bus. The students coming from the trains and buses arriving at New York's Grand Central Station, Pennsylvania Station, or Port Authority Bus Terminal, can then take public transportation or a taxi north to campus.
  • Columbia Business School has over 100 unique student clubs and societies. These include the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organisation, The Green Business Club, Columbia Women in Business, Follies, etc.

Columbia Business School inaugurated its new buildings, Henry R. Kravis Hall and David Geffen Hall, Henry R. Kravis Hall and David Geffen Hall, in January 2022. The new campus is environmentally friendly and is also the first neighborhood development in NYC to earn the prestigious LEED-ND Platinum designation from the US Green Building Council.


Columbia Business School Graduate Admissions

Graduate programs at Columbia Business School are offered in different disciplines of Marketing Science, Financial Economics, Business Analytics, Accounting & Fundamental Analysis, etc.

How to Apply for Columbia Business School Graduate Programs?

Applicants must follow the guidelines given below for admission:

Application Portal: Online Portal

Application Fees: 100 USD (8,222 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPA or Aggregate Requirements: 3.7 on a 4.0 scale
  • English proficiency test scores
  • Standardized test scores
    • GMAT: 744
    • GRE: 169 (Quant) | 163 (Verbal)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Essay
  • Undergraduate transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Interviews (by invitation only)

Columbia Business School Program-specific Entry Requirements for Graduate Courses:

Programs Academic Qualifications GMAT/GRE scores Documents Checklist Work experience
MS in Marketing Science 3.79 (95%) in UG degree in probability and/or statistics and linear algebra GRE: 167 [Quantitative] and 161 [Verbal] | GMAT: 740 CV/Resume | Essays | 2 LORs Programing language experience such as Python or R
MS in Financial Economics UG degree in probability and statistics, macroeconomics, multivariate calculus, linear algebra and matrix theory, and computer programming GRE Score of 169 [Quantitative] and 160 [Verbal] CV/Resume | Essays | 2 LORs Not required
MS in Accounting and Fundamental Analysis 3.7 (93%) in Undergraduate business, or economics backgrounds GRE: 169 [Quantitative] and 163 [Verbal] | GMAT: 744 CV/Resume | Essays | 2 LORs Not required

Columbia Business School MBA Admissions

Columbia Business School enrolled over 782 students this year. Though there is no minimum years of work experience required for admission, 99% of the current class hold at least 1 year of work experience.

ApplicationPortal: Online Portal

Application Fees: 250 USD (20,555 INR)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree (approved and accredited institution)
  • GPA required: 3.6 (91%)
  • Average work experience- 5 years
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • CV/Resume
  • Two Essays
  • Two professional references
  • Interviews

Class Profile

Category Details
Applications Received 7,487
Total Enrolled 972 (divided into 14 clusters)
January Entry Class Size 238 (4 clusters)
August Entry Class Size 734 (10 clusters)
GMAT – Average Score 732
GMAT – Score Range 600 – 780
GRE Verbal – Average Score 162
GRE Verbal – Score Range 146 – 170
GRE Quantitative – Average Score 162
GRE Quantitative – Score Range 143 – 170
Undergraduate GPA – Average 3.6
Work Experience – Average 5 years
Women 44%
International Citizens 46%
Minority of US Origin 44%

Columbia Business School Undergraduate Admissions

Columbia Business School offers an undergraduate concentration in Business Management. It is a joint program between Columbia College and Columbia Business School.

How to Apply?

Application Portal: Online Portal

Application Fees: 85 USD (6,989 INR)

Documents Required:

  • High school transcript
  • GPA required: cumulative GPA of 3.4 (88%) or higher
  • English proficiency test scores:
  • CV/Resume
  • Short answer essay
  • Proof of financial support
  • Copy of Passport

Cost of Living at Columbia Business School

The average cost of living in USA for an international student can vary greatly depending on various factors. Generally, urban areas tend to have a higher cost of living compared to rural areas. Some of the major factors that contribute to the cost of living in the USA include housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses. However, the average cost of living in Columbia Business School is listed below:

Expense Category Annual Cost (USD) Annual Cost (INR)
Tuition $77,376 – $91,172 ₹64.2L – ₹75.6L
Mandatory Fees $3,847 – $6,473 ₹3.2L – ₹5.4L
Health Insurance $5,367 ₹4.45L
Books & Supplies $954 – $1,250 ₹79,200 – ₹1.03L
Food & Housing $21,375 – $28,476 ₹17.7L – ₹23.6L
Personal Expenses $3,510 – $6,066 ₹2.9L – ₹5.0L
Transportation $1,323 ₹1.1L

Columbia Business School Scholarships

Some of the well-known scholarships available for international students aiming to pursue their studies at Columbia Business School are listed below:

Scholarship/Fellowship Type Amount Eligibility Criteria
Need-Based Scholarships Need-Based $10,000–$30,000 (avg. ~$20,000) Available to both domestic and international students. Application accessible post-admission.Generally renewed for the second year.
Chazen Institute Scholarship Fund Need-Based Partial-Tuition $20,000 per student Available to five qualified incoming international MBA students and five rising second-year international MBA students. No separate application required; eligibility determined by CBS’s Office of Financial Aid.
Perelman Scholarship Fund Full Tuition Full Tuition Awarded to students from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups.
Robert F. Smith Scholarship Fund Full/Partial Tuition Full or Partial Tuition For CBS students who have graduated from HBCUs, overcome systemic hardships, or demonstrated a strong commitment to engaging diversity.
Ela Lemelbaum Scholarship Partial Tuition Partial Tuition For students from Israel, with special consideration for those living in Israel or those who have studied at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya.
Project Charity Trust Fellowship Partial Tuition Partial Tuition For students from the European Union with a significant commitment to philanthropy.
Frances Alexander Scholarship Need-Based Varies For exceptional students with an interest in social enterprise endeavors.
Gilbert Butler ’62 Fellowship Need-Based Varies For outstanding students, with a preference for those with a background in environmental conservation, the arts, or nonprofits.
Rachel Jacobs ’02 Memorial Scholarship Need-Based Varies For deserving students demonstrating financial need.
Sandra and Tony Tamer Scholarship Merit/Need-Based Varies For students interested in social enterprise.
Benjamin Botwinick Scholarship Merit-Based Varies For students demonstrating an interest in and commitment to ethics.

Also Check: Popular Scholarships to Study in USA


Columbia Business School Placements

Columbia Business School graduates of the Class of 2026 achieved strong placement outcomes, with 100% receiving base salaries and a median pay of $175,000. Signing bonuses were offered to 71% of graduates, averaging $30,000, while additional guaranteed compensation reached up to $225,000 for some. Graduates secured roles across top consulting, tech, finance, and healthcare firms, with companies like McKinsey, BCG, Amazon, and JPMorgan hiring significant numbers of new CBS alumni.

Below is the official data highlighting placement outcomes for international students, as reported by the university.

Compensation Type Receiving Median High
Base Salary 100% $175,000 $370,000
Signing Bonus 71.3% $30,000 $151,000
Other Guaranteed Compensation 12.3% $21,185 $225,000

Company New Hires Total Hires
McKinsey & Company 50 62
Boston Consulting Group, Inc. 29 36
Amazon 14 14
PricewaterhouseCoopers 12 15
Bain & Company 12 21
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 11 11
Deloitte 10 13
Citigroup Inc. 10 10
Bank of America 10 10
Evercore Inc. 9 9
Lazard Inc. 8 8
Visa Inc. 8 8
Morgan Stanley 8 8
American Express 6 6
Barclays 6 6
Ernst & Young Global Limited 6 6
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 6 6
TikTok 5 5
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. 5 5
Moelis & Company 5 5
Google 5 5
Kearney 5 9
UBS Group AG 4 4
PJT Partners 4 4
Oliver Wyman 4 6
Capital One 4 4
Pfizer Inc. 4 4

Also Check: Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students

Columbia Business School also has a Career Management Center (CMC) designed for students, graduates, and alumni to help kickstart their careers. The CMC provides students with career development tools, services and useful connections that aid students in developing a professional network.

The center also has a team of experts that offers professional guidance and expertise in navigating the career path. The business school has a separate subscription platform where candidates can sign in to gain access and develop their network and for job-hunting.

FAQs

Ques: Is Columbia Business School an Ivy League?

Ans: Yes. Columbia Business School is recognised as one of the six Ivy League business schools and also as a member of M7 business school. CBS is also one of the oldest b-schools in the world.

Ques: How hard is it to get into Columbia Business School?

Ans: Columbia Business School acceptance rate is around 22% and exhibits a lightly selective admission policy. As of 2024, Columbia Business School has around 2,400+ enrolled students across its various programs.

Ques: What are the Pros and Cons of doing MBA from Columbia Business School?

Ans: Based on students’ reviews, the pros and cons of studying at Columbia Business School are highlighted in the table below:

Pros Cons
Located in Manhattan with direct access to Wall Street and top firms High tuition fees and expensive NYC living costs
Strong alumni and networking opportunities across industries Competitive and high-pressure culture may not suit everyone
Flexible curriculum with many electives and cross-university options Not as strong in marketing and tech compared to finance
Global prestige and consistently ranked among top business schools Students may struggle to balance academics, networking, and personal time
Especially strong reputation in finance, investment banking, and asset management Can feel overwhelming if focus is more on academics than networking

Columbia Business School Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025)
Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Feb 2026)
INR 58 L/Yr
USD 64,800 /Yr
85GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135
The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025)
Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Feb 2026)
INR 58 L/Yr
USD 64,800 /Yr
85GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135
MBA
20 months
Round 2 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake (6th Jan 2026)
Round 2 Interview Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake (19th Feb 2026)
Round 3 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake (26th Mar 2026)
Round 2 Final Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake (31st Mar 2026)
Round 3 Interview Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake (1st May 2026)
Round 3 Final Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake (20th May 2026)
INR 81.6 L/Yr
USD 91,172 /Yr
250GPA: 3.6, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135, GMAT: 732, GRE: 324
The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025)
Priority Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Feb 2026)
INR 86.9 L/Yr
USD 97,200 /Yr
85GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135
The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025)
Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
INR 86.9 L/Yr
USD 97,200 /Yr
85GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135
MArch
3 years
Application Deadline For 2026 intake (3rd Jan 2026)
INR 63 L/Yr
USD 70,380 /Yr
75GPA 3.5, TOEFL-100, IELTS-7.5
MPH
2 years
Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
INR 45.1 L/Yr
USD 50,372 /Yr
135GPA 3.5, TOEFL-100, IELTS-7.5 Duolingo-135
LLM
1 year
Application Deadline for 2026 intake (2nd Dec 2025)
INR 76.4 L/Yr
USD 85,368 /Yr
85GPA 3.0- 3.5, TOEFL-105, IELTS-8.0
Application Submission Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
INR 67.3 L/Yr
USD 75,256 /Yr
100GPA: 3.9, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68, GRE: 330
AWWA Scholarships application deadline (20th Dec 2025)
Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Feb 2026)
Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Mar 2026)
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Oct 2026)
INR 73.9 L/Yr
USD 82,620 /Yr
150GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135

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Master of Business Administration [MBA]

20 months
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: GMAT732|GRE324|TOEFL100|IELTS7.5|Duolingo135
Degrees Available: E.M.B.A
Important Date: 06 Jan, 2026
Entry Requirement: GPA: 3.6, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135, GMAT: 732, GRE: 324
INR 81.6 L/YrUSD 91,172 /Yr

Master of Science [MS] Financial Economics

2 years
Co Op, On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL100|IELTS7.5|GRE330|PTE68
Important Date: 15 Jan, 2026
Entry Requirement: GPA: 3.9, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68, GRE: 330
INR 67.3 L/YrUSD 75,256 /Yr

Master of Science [MS] Marketing Science

1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Ranked #10 out of 389 by QS Global Ranking 2026
Exam Scores: TOEFL100|IELTS7.5|GRE329|PTE68
Important Date: 15 Jan, 2026
Entry Requirement: GPA: 3.8, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68, GRE: 329
INR 71.1 L/YrUSD 79,472 /Yr

Master of Science [M.S] Accounting and Fundamental Analysis

1 year
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: GRE169|IELTS7.0|TOEFL100
Important Date: 15 Jan, 2026
Entry Requirement: GPA: 3.8, GRE: 169, TOEFL(100), IELTS(7.5)
INR 52.1 L/YrUSD 58,284 /Yr

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Columbia Business School comparison

University NameColumbia Business SchoolThe Wharton SchoolHarvard Business SchoolMIT Sloan School of ManagementINSEADYale School of ManagementKellogg School of ManagementUniversity of Chicago Booth School of BusinessStern School of Business
Programs
  • PG Programs - 5
  • PG Programs - 5
  • Doctorate Programs -7
  • PG Programs - 4
  • Doctorate Programs -1
  • UG Programs- 3
  • PG Programs - 5
  • Doctorate Programs -8
  • PG Programs - 6
  • Doctorate Programs -1
  • PG Programs - 14
  • Doctorate Programs -3
  • PG Programs - 5
  • Doctorate Programs -9
  • PG Programs - 15
  • Doctorate Programs -9
  • UG Programs- 3
  • PG Programs - 7
Cost to Study
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 12305725.95 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1951441.2 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 3464577.4 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 3424682.7 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 8095672.25 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 2099391.5 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 2772592.2 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 18632435 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1316704 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 12299375 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1476640.6 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 7639030 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1987042.3 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 10955299.3 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1435404.15 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 6440400 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:INR 1406690.7 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 4910447.2 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:INR 3953690 [For PG Program]
Overall Ranking
  • #2 Financial Times 2025
  • #8 Financial Times 2020
  • #9 Financial Times 2019
---
  • #122 Center for World University Rankings 2025
  • #119 Center for World University Rankings 2022
  • #1 Financial Times 2021
  • #24 Financial Times 2025
  • #4 Financial Times 2021
  • #14 Financial Times 2020
  • #10 Financial Times 2025
  • #6 Financial Times 2021
  • #11 Financial Times 2020
--
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Columbia Business School Ranking

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

QS World University logo
Business 10 out of 389 in Global Ranking
( #6 out of 108 in USA 2026)

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Columbia Business School Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
Claes Isacson ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 17.9 L/Yr$20,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeNeed-Based
TEC ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 89,450/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
BeArt Presets-Academic ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 2.2 L/Yr$2,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 89,450/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Jagdish Bhagwati FellowshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Bharat Petroleum ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based

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Columbia Business School Admissions

  • Fall Admissions Deadlines

    Important Date: January6 (Application deadline)
  • Final Deadlines

    Important Date: April9 (Application deadline)

Columbia Business School Exam Scores

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Language Proficiency
TOEFL110100120-
IELTS87.59-
Graduate
GMAT762724800-

Attendance Cost

₹6,809,381

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
₹6,809,381 / Year
Post Graduate Program
₹8,207,574 / Year
On Campus
Room and Board
₹1,951,441 / Year

Columbia Business School Accreditations

Program wise accreditation
Business Programs
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Columbia Business School Campus Location


+1-212-854-2522
Telephone
1125 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
Address

Nearby This Campus

  • Bus Station
  • Airport

Bus Station

Broadway/W 119 St0.09 km
Amsterdam Av/W 120 St0.12 km
Broadway/West 120 St0.14 km
Amsterdam Av/W 118 St0.16 km
Show More

Airport

East 60th Street Heliport1.11 km
Pan Am Building Heliport6.31 km
West 30th Street Heliport7.17 km
East 34th Street Heliport7.46 km
Show More

● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary

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