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Columbia admitted 4.23% of applicants for the Class of 2030. This marks a slight increase from recent cycles like the 3.9% rate for the Class of 2028 and the 4.0% rate for the Class of 2027. Despite this marginal uptick, securing a spot requires an exceptional profile.
Columbia Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030
Columbia admitted 2,581 of 61,031 applicants to the Class of 2030, an acceptance rate of 4.23%.[1] These are the figures the university announced for the cycle; the Common Data Set for this class publishes later in the year.
For the Class of 2030, Columbia University reported a record 61,031 total applications and 2,581 admitted students across Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The university received 5,497 Early Decision applications but has maintained its recent policy of withholding the exact number of students admitted during the Early Decision round.
Columbia Acceptance Rate by Year
Across the 3 cycles with official figures, the acceptance rate has held steady at 3.9% between the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2028.[2]
| Class | Applied | Admitted | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 60,247 | 2,325 | 3.9% |
| 2027 | 57,126 | 2,284 | 4.0% |
| 2025 | 60,551 | 2,355 | 3.9% |
Admitted Student Test Scores (Class of 2028)
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored:[2]
- SAT (combined mid-50%): 1510–1580 (EBRW 740–780, Math 770–800)
- ACT composite (mid-50%): 34–36
The combined SAT range is the sum of the two section ranges, not a true composite percentile.
Columbia Yield Rate
Of the 2,325 students admitted to the Class of 2028, 1,483 enrolled, a yield rate of 63.8%.[2] 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 | 2,325 | 1,483 | 63.8% |
| 2027 | 2,284 | 1,454 | 63.7% |
| 2025 | 2,355 | 1,560 | 66.2% |
What This Means for Your Application
- Anticipate fierce competition: Columbia evaluated 61,031 applications for the Class of 2030 and admitted 2,581 students.
- Maximize test scores: Aim for an ACT composite between 34 and 36 or a combined SAT between 1510 and 1580.
- Expect high yield: The university saw a 63.8% yield rate for the Class of 2028 when 1,483 of the 2,325 admitted applicants enrolled.
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