Ibrahim Gardner
Columbia University is one of the top American universities with the highest number of foreign students. In 2020, Columbia was home to approximately 10,522 international students. This number increased to 20,347 in 2022, making up approximately 38% of the total student body. The university is particularly popular among students from China, India, South Korea, and Canada. Columbia offers a range of degrees attractive to international students, including Statistics, Liberal Arts and General Studies, and Business Administration and Management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of foreign students | 20,347 |
| Percentage of foreign students out of total student body | 38% |
| Number of foreign students on campus | 13,838 |
| Number of foreign students engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT) | 6,483 |
| Number of international students in 2020 | 10,522 |
| Number of international undergraduates in 2020 | 1,477 |
| Number of Chinese students in 2020 | 5,035 |
| Number of Indian students in 2020 | 884 |
| Number of South Korean students in 2020 | 481 |
| Number of international scholars (faculty and researchers) | 3,181 |
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What You'll Learn
- Columbia University's ranking among colleges for international students
- The number of international students at Columbia University in 2020
- International students at Columbia University on student visas
- The percentage of international students at Columbia University
- The number of Indian students at Columbia University
Columbia University's ranking among colleges for international students
Columbia University is a private institution founded in 1754 with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,902 as of Fall 2022. The campus size spans 36 acres. The university has been ranked 13th in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in the category of National Universities.
In terms of international students, Columbia University has consistently been listed as one of the top colleges with the highest number of foreign students. According to the latest data from 2022, there were 20,347 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University, with 6,483 of them engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT). This indicates a shift in the total campus population, with Columbia University dedicating more seats to foreign students in recent years.
Columbia University is ranked highly among colleges for international students. While exact rankings for this specific category are not readily available, Columbia University's overall prestigious standing and popularity among international applicants reflect its appeal to a global audience.
In comparison, Columbia International University, a separate private institution, has a smaller total undergraduate enrollment of 916 as of Fall 2023. It is ranked #29 in the Regional Universities South category for 2025.
Columbia University's diverse and inclusive nature is further exemplified by its racially diverse student body, with approximately 52% of all students identifying as persons of color. Additionally, Columbia University offers various opportunities for international experiences, allowing students to study abroad at partner institutions.
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The number of international students at Columbia University in 2020
Columbia University is one of the American colleges with the highest foreign student populations. In 2020, approximately 10,522 international students attended Columbia University, with 1,477 of these being undergraduates. This means that around 38% of the total student body at Columbia University in 2020 were international students.
In terms of international students' countries of origin, in 2020, Columbia was home to approximately 5,035 Chinese students, 884 Indian students, 481 South Korean students, and 1,477 Canadian students.
Columbia University has shifted its student population in recent years to favour foreign students, significantly increasing the percentage of foreign students as a proportion of its total enrolment. This shift has proven controversial, with some arguing that Congress should consider limiting the number of foreign students that can be enrolled in American educational institutions.
The large number of foreign students at Columbia University is reflected in the fact that, as of 2022, 6,483 of its foreign students were engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows foreign students to work in their field of study for one to three years beyond graduation.
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International students at Columbia University on student visas
Columbia University is home to one of the most internationally diverse student bodies in the country. The latest data from 2022 shows that there were 20,347 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University, making up approximately 38% of the total student body. This figure includes students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a controversial DHS-created programme that allows foreign students to work in their field of study for one to three years beyond graduation. Excluding these students, the number of international students studying on campus is 13,838.
International students make up a significant portion of Columbia's student population, and the university has a well-established admissions process for applicants from abroad. The process is largely the same for all students, regardless of their citizenship or country of residence. Columbia welcomes applications from international transfer students, provided they are enrolled in a college in North America or a US-style college abroad. The university accepts all secondary school curricula and reviews applications within the context of the student's curriculum.
To be eligible for a student visa (F-1), international students must be full-time students registered for at least 12 points of credit-bearing courses per term. For summer study, a minimum of 6 points for a 6-week session or 12 points for the entire 12-week session is required. Students taking non-credit courses are not eligible for F-1 status. Once in the US with F-1 status, students must maintain their full-time enrolment status by registering for at least 12 points of credit-bearing courses at the beginning of each semester. Failure to do so will result in a violation of F-1 regulations, which is reported to the US Department of Homeland Security.
Columbia University's international student population contributes to its diverse and vibrant community. The university has experience evaluating applications from a wide range of countries, educational backgrounds, and school systems. The admissions staff is committed to reviewing each application carefully and selecting candidates who will benefit from and contribute to the unique Columbia experience.
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The percentage of international students at Columbia University
Columbia University is one of the American colleges with the highest number of foreign students. In 2020, there were approximately 10,522 international students at Columbia University, out of a total of 30,135 students. This means that international students made up around 35% of the student body at that time.
According to the latest data available from the DHS in 2022, there were 20,347 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University. However, 6,483 of these students were engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in their field of study beyond graduation. Therefore, if we consider only those foreign students studying on campus, the number is 13,838, or approximately 38% of the total student body of 36,649.
Columbia University is particularly popular with international students from China, India, South Korea, and Canada. In 2020, Columbia was home to approximately 5,035 Chinese students, 884 Indian students, 481 South Korean students, and an unknown number of Canadian students.
The university ranks highly for providing a quality educational experience to international students. It is ranked 5th best out of 662 colleges for Indian students and 1st best out of 596 for South Korean students. However, it ranks lower for providing value, coming in at 735th out of 820 colleges for Chinese students and 512th out of 582 colleges for South Korean students.
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The number of Indian students at Columbia University
Columbia University is a private institution founded in 1754 with a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,902 students as of Fall 2022. The university has a campus size of 36 acres.
According to the latest data, Columbia University had 20,347 foreign students enrolled in 2022, with the number decreasing to 20,321 in 2023. The university has seen an increase in its foreign student population in recent years, with 17,202 foreign students enrolled in 2017, which rose to 20,347 in 2022, an 18% increase. Almost half of the foreign students come from China, with 9,961 enrolled students, while Indian students account for 2,357 of the population. This makes Indian students the second largest group of international students at Columbia University. Additionally, there are 751 Canadian students enrolled, making up the third largest group.
In total, there are 36,649 students enrolled at Columbia University, meaning that approximately 55% of students were foreign as of 2022. The university has shifted its student population in recent years to favour foreign students, with 38% of its student body made up of international students in 2022. Columbia University is consistently listed as one of the top five college campuses with the highest number of foreign students, alongside New York University, Northeastern University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Illinois.
The high number of foreign students at Columbia University raises questions about the national interest and the capacity of DHS to manage such a large foreign student population.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the latest data from 2022, there were 20,347 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University.
Foreign students make up approximately 38% of Columbia University's total student body.
Columbia University is ranked 3rd out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students.
An analysis of student visa data from 2020 suggests that Columbia University was home to approximately 884 Indian students.
