What SAT score do you need for Columbia? (Middle 50%: 1460–1530)
First-year students at Columbia who sent an SAT scored 1460–1530, with a median of 1510 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Columbia admits 4.0% of applicants and is test optional.
Where your score lands at Columbia
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1460–1530, median 1510
Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Columbia is for you and whether to send your score.
Columbia by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 4.0%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1460–1530
- Median SAT
- 1510
- About on the ACT
- 33–35
- Sent an SAT
- 17%
Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Columbia admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Columbia admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 63%, from 36,911 in 2015 to 60,115 in 2024, and Columbia's admit rate went from 6.6% to 4.0%.
- 6.6%
- 4.0%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 60,115 | 2,400 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 57,613 | 2,439 | 4.2% |
| 2022 | 60,879 | 2,404 | 3.9% |
| 2021 | 61,110 | 2,524 | 4.1% |
| 2020 | 40,462 | 2,695 | 6.7% |
| 2019 | 42,823 | 2,332 | 5.4% |
| 2018 | 40,572 | 2,399 | 5.9% |
| 2017 | 37,673 | 2,410 | 6.4% |
| 2016 | 37,009 | 2,526 | 6.8% |
| 2015 | 36,911 | 2,438 | 6.6% |
In fall 2024, 1,558 of the 2,400 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Columbia
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1510Far reachHold
- 1510–1520Far reachSend
- 1530 and upReachSend
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.
Columbia cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $21,590
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 96%
- Median earnings
- $102,491
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 9,951
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Columbia
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- BarnardNew York, NY · 8.8% admitted1480–1540, median 1510
- BowdoinBrunswick, ME · 7.1% admitted1470–1540, median 1510
- DartmouthHanover, NH · 5.4% admitted1440–1550, median 1520
- YaleNew Haven, CT · 3.9% admitted1480–1560, median 1530
- PrincetonPrinceton, NJ · 4.6% admitted1490–1560, median 1530
- PomonaClaremont, CA · 7.1% admitted1490–1550, median 1520
More colleges in New York
Sources
- Columbia Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Columbia admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- Columbia website
Columbia University in the City of New York
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
Questions
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