Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Architecture Early Application Decision Deadline for Fall 2026 intake | Closing in 17 days |
| Architecture Early Decision Financial Aid Deadline for Fall 2026 intake | Closing in 31 days |
| English and Comparative Literature Application Deadline for Spring 2026 Intake | Closing in 29 days |
Columbia Business School (CBS) is an Ivy League business school with a high global ranking. It consistently ranks among the top 10 MBA programs worldwide, including #8 in the QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings and #2 in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking. CBS offers admission to international students for two intakes: January and August. The January 2026 intake is now closed for international students. Applications for the August 2026 intake are open and reviewed in three rounds. The upcoming deadlines are September 3, 2025 (Round 1) and January 6, 2026 (Round 2). The school has an acceptance rate of 21%, showing it is highly competitive.
Popular programs for 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). CBS is known for its strong academics, global network, and opportunities in finance, consulting, and tech. The school gives students a chance to learn from top professors and connect with professionals around the world.
- Columbia Business School Admission Deadline
1.1 January 2026 Entry Application Deadlines
1.2 August 2026 Entry Application Deadlines
- Columbia Business School Popular Courses
- Columbia Business School Acceptance Rate
- Columbia Business School Graduate Admissions
4.1 How to Apply for Columbia Business School Graduate Programs?
4.2 Columbia Business School Program-specific Entry Requirements for Graduate Courses:
- Columbia Business School MBA Admissions
5.1 Class Profile
- Columbia Business School Undergraduate Admissions
6.1 How to Apply?
- Cost of Living at Columbia Business School
- Columbia Business School Selection Process
- FAQs
Columbia Business School Admission Deadline
Most students applying to Columbia Business School can start either in August or January, depending on their career plans and preference for a summer internship. Below is an overview of the application deadlines and entry options for international students:
January 2026 Entry Application Deadlines
| Round | Application Deadline | Interview Decisions Released | Final Decisions Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | June 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM (ET) | Rolling | No later than August 6, 2025 (Closed) |
| Round 2 | August 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM (ET) | Rolling | No later than October 8, 2025 (Closed) |
August 2026 Entry Application Deadlines
| Round | Application Deadline | Interview Decisions Released | Final Decisions Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM (ET) | By November 13, 2025 | By December 15, 2025 |
| Round 2 | January 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET) | By February 19, 2026 | By March 31, 2026 |
| Round 3 | March 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET) | By May 1, 2026 | By May 20, 2026 |
August-Entry: Most MBA students (about 70%) start in August, attend orientation, and begin classes in September. They usually do a summer internship between their second and third terms. Applications are reviewed in three rounds, and it’s best to apply early.
January-Entry: Around 30% of students start in January, skip the summer internship, and finish their second semester during summer. This option is good for those staying in the same industry or pursuing entrepreneurial plans.
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 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
- TOEFL-IBT: 109
- 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
- GMAT Score between 550-780
- 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:
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 Selection Process
The acceptance rate of Columbia Business School MBA program was 22% as per class of 2024 admissions. Out of the 6177 applications received, around 1363 were accepted for admissions. Majority of the accepted students have a GPA of 3.6 (91%) and GMAT score of 729. Within 6 weeks of the receipt of the application, Columbia Business School calls the candidates for an interview. Columbia Business School evaluates each applicant in accordance with criteria that include their own interests, skills and abilities, accomplishments, and obstacles in addition to their academic performance. Each applicant is thoroughly evaluated.
Columbia Business School has a 22% acceptance rate and stringent admissions criteria. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.6 (91%) in order to be considered for admission to the business school, which is the average GPA of Columbia Business School's entering class. In addition, supporting materials like essays, LORs, and GMAT/GRE scores are very important in the admissions process.
FAQs
Ques. What GPA do you need to get into Columbia Business School?
Ans. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.6 (91%) in order to be considered for admission to the Columbia Business School
Ques. Is Columbia Business School hard to get into?
Ans. Columbia has an admission rate of just over 18%. Students seeking admission must go through the student's profile before applying to MBA or related master’s programs. For instance, the typical GMAT score is 729.
Ques. What is the English proficiency requirement for Columbia Business School?
Ans. To apply to Columbia Business School, the IELTS score required to apply is approximately 7.5 and the TOEFL-IBT score requirement is 105. There are no English proficiency scores required for admission to the MBA program at Columbia Business School.
Ques. What are the requirements to get into Columbia Business School?
Ans. Columbia Business School requires supporting materials like essays, LORs, and GMAT/GRE scores. Along with this, the applicant must also review the academic requirements and minimum test score requirements for each graduate course that may vary.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate for Columbia Business School?
Ans. Columbia Business School follows a tough admission policy and has a mere acceptance rate of just 22% for MBA programs.
Columbia Business School Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Data Science 2 years | 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 57.5 L/Yr USD 64,800 /Yr | 85 | GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135 | |
MS Computer Science 2 years | 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 57.5 L/Yr USD 64,800 /Yr | 85 | GPA: 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 80.9 L/Yr USD 91,172 /Yr | 250 | GPA: 3.6, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135, GMAT: 732, GRE: 324 | |
MS Business Analytics 1 year | 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 86.2 L/Yr USD 97,200 /Yr | 85 | GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135 | |
MS Financial Engineering 1 year | The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025) Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) | INR 86.2 L/Yr USD 97,200 /Yr | 85 | GPA: 3.5, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135 | |
MArch 3 years | Application Deadline For 2026 intake (3rd Jan 2026) | INR 62.4 L/Yr USD 70,380 /Yr | 75 | GPA 3.5, TOEFL-100, IELTS-7.5 | |
MPH 2 years | Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) | INR 44.7 L/Yr USD 50,372 /Yr | 135 | GPA 3.5, TOEFL-100, IELTS-7.5 Duolingo-135 | |
MS Financial Economics 2 years | Application Submission Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) | INR 66.8 L/Yr USD 75,256 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.9, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68, GRE: 330 | |
LLM 1 year | Application Deadline for 2026 intake (2nd Dec 2025) | INR 75.7 L/Yr USD 85,368 /Yr | 85 | GPA 3.0- 3.5, TOEFL-105, IELTS-8.0 | |
MS Applied Analytics 1 year | 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 73.3 L/Yr USD 82,620 /Yr | 150 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, Duolingo: 135 |
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| Program | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| MS Data Science | 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) |
| MS Computer Science | 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) |
| MBA | 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) |
| MS Business Analytics | 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) |
| MS Financial Engineering | The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline (16th Dec 2025) Final Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| MArch | Application Deadline For 2026 intake (3rd Jan 2026) |
| MPH | Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| MS Financial Economics | Application Submission Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| LLM | Application Deadline for 2026 intake (2nd Dec 2025) |
| MS Applied Analytics | 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) |
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