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Columbia accepted 29.7% of applicants for the Class of 2028, marking a drop from 31.7% the year before. While Class of 2030 figures are not out yet, recent applicant pools have remained highly competitive with totals reaching up to 540. Securing one of the 153 admitted spots requires exceptional academic preparation.
Columbia Acceptance Rate: Class of 2028
Official Class of 2030 figures are not public yet. The most recent cycle with Common Data Set numbers is the Class of 2028, when Columbia admitted 153 of 516 applicants, an acceptance rate of 29.7%.[1] This page is updated as soon as the Class of 2030 figures are published.
Columbia Acceptance Rate by Year
Across the 4 cycles with official figures, the acceptance rate has risen from 27.8% (Class of 2025) to 29.7% (Class of 2028).[1]
| Class | Applied | Admitted | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 516 | 153 | 29.7% |
| 2027 | 486 | 154 | 31.7% |
| 2026 | 504 | 149 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 540 | 150 | 27.8% |
Admitted Student Test Scores (Class of 2028)
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored:[1]
- SAT (combined mid-50%): 1460–1530 (EBRW 710–750, Math 750–780)
- ACT composite (mid-50%): 33–34
The combined SAT range is the sum of the two section ranges, not a true composite percentile.
Columbia Yield Rate
Of the 153 students admitted to the Class of 2028, 75 enrolled, a yield rate of 49.0%.[1] Yield is what the university is really managing when it sets an admit rate, so it moves the acceptance rate more than application volume does.
| Class | Admitted | Enrolled | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 153 | 75 | 49.0% |
| 2027 | 154 | 86 | 55.8% |
| 2026 | 149 | 77 | 51.7% |
| 2025 | 150 | 81 | 54.0% |
What to Expect for the Class of 2030
Over the three most recent official classes (2026–2028) the acceptance rate at Columbia has sat between 29.6%–31.7%.
That band is what the school has actually done recently, not a prediction. A single cycle can break it: a change to testing policy, a new direct-admission program, or a jump in application volume moves the rate more than any trend would.
What This Means for Your Application
- Target high scores: Aim for a 34 on the ACT or the upper end of the SAT range between 1460 and 1530.
- Expect strict limits: The admissions team offered seats to just 153 applicants out of 516 for the Class of 2028.
- Prove your interest: With 75 accepted students ultimately enrolling for a 49.0% yield, the committee wants applicants who truly intend to matriculate.
References
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