Lana Oconnell
Columbia University in the City of New York is a popular choice for international students, with College Factual ranking it 3rd out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students. According to the latest data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there were 20,321 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University in 2023, comprising approximately 55% of the student body. This number has grown from 17,202 in 2017, an increase of 18%. Columbia University's international student population is diverse, with students from at least 50 countries represented on campus. The countries with the largest communities are China, India, and South Korea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of foreign students | 20,321 |
| Percentage of students that are foreign students | 55% |
| Percentage of foreign students studying on campus | 38% |
| Number of countries represented | 50+ |
| Top three countries by enrollment | China, India, Canada |
| Number of Chinese students | 9,961 |
| Number of Indian students | 2,357 |
| Number of Canadian students | 751 |
| Number of enrolled foreign students | 13,838 |
| Number of foreign students engaged in post-graduation OPT | 6,483 |
| Gender of foreign students (enrolled) | Female: 51.68% Male: 48.32% |
What You'll Learn
Popularity with international students
Columbia University is extremely popular with international students. In 2020, the university was home to approximately 10,522 international students, with College Factual ranking Columbia as 3rd out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students. The latest data from 2023 shows that there are 20,321 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University, making up around 55% of the student population.
The number of international students at Columbia has been increasing over the years, with an average growth rate of 9.8%. In 2013, there were 9,812 international students, which increased to 11,269 in 2017. The number of countries represented at Columbia is at least 50, with the largest on-campus communities from China, India, and South Korea. China is the largest contributor to the growth in international students, with an estimated total of 5,035 students in 2018, making up around 16.7% of the entire student body and 47.9% of the international student body. The number of Chinese students at Columbia has been growing at an average rate of 17.1%.
The College of General Studies at Columbia is particularly attractive to international students, with 24% of its students coming from outside the US. Many international students qualify for this college automatically due to mandatory military service in their home country.
Columbia's location in New York City also adds to its popularity among international students, offering diverse cultures, dynamic cuisine, and access to three international airports within an hour.
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International student trends
Columbia University in the City of New York is a popular choice for international students. In 2020, the university was home to approximately 10,522 international students, with College Factual ranking Columbia as 3rd out of 1,279 colleges in the US for popularity with international students. The latest data from the university's website shows that in Fall 2023, there were 13,838 international students enrolled, with an additional 6,483 engaged in post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT), bringing the total number of international students to 20,321. This means that approximately 55% of students at Columbia University were international as of 2022.
The number of international students at Columbia has been increasing over the years. In 2017, there were 17,202 foreign students enrolled, and this number grew to 20,347 by 2022, an 18% increase. China is the largest contributor to this growth, with an estimated total of 5,035 students in 2020, accounting for 16.7% of the entire student body and 47.9% of the international student body. Other countries with a large number of students at Columbia include India, South Korea, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Taiwan, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Turkey, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Australia, Colombia, Israel, Thailand, Hong Kong, Russia, Greece, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Sweden, Norway, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Venezuela, Ghana, Nepal, Egypt, Ecuador, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Jamaica, and Mongolia.
International students are well represented across the various schools and programs at Columbia University. The College of General Studies, which caters to non-traditional applicants including military veterans, professional athletes, actors, entrepreneurs, and later-in-life students, has a significant international student population, with 24% of its students coming from outside the US. The undergraduate colleges, Columbia College (liberal arts) and SEAS (engineering), also have a sizeable number of international students, with a total of over 1,000 international undergraduates, or about 16% of the enrolled students across both colleges.
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International student services and associations
Columbia University in the City of New York is extremely popular with international students. In 2020, the university was home to approximately 10,522 international students, with at least 50 countries represented on campus. The latest data from 2023 shows that there are 20,321 international students enrolled at Columbia, with almost half of these students coming from China. This makes up approximately 55% of the student population.
Columbia University's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides a nurturing and supportive living and learning environment for international students through advocacy, services, programming, and advising. ISSS assists students with applying for a Social Security Number, enrollment confirmations, and travel signatures.
Columbia College also has an International Student Services department, which aims to create a welcoming atmosphere, offer advice on immigration regulations, foster international understanding, and make the academic journey rewarding.
The university celebrates the unique voices and perspectives that international students bring to campus and facilitates programs, connections, and experiences that promote global awareness and appreciation. Columbia College has opened a world of opportunities for international students, allowing them to get involved in campus life, take on leadership opportunities, and join student organizations.
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International student financial information
Columbia University is one of the few schools in the U.S. that practices need-blind admission and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted first-year international students. This is quite rare, as most U.S. colleges are aware of international students.
Applying for Financial Aid
International students who wish to apply for financial aid at Columbia should do so at the same time they apply for admission. To apply for aid, you will need to submit the CSS Profile, which is a form administered by the College Board that determines your eligibility for non-government financial aid.
The deadline for the CSS Profile is November 15 for Early Decision and January 1 for Regular Decision. It's important to keep in mind that it takes several days for your CSS profile to be processed and to reach Columbia, so your actual submission date should be a bit earlier than the official deadline.
Note that applying for aid as an international student is a one-time choice: if you don’t apply for aid during your admissions application, you will not be eligible to apply for need-based financial aid in subsequent years, unless your family experiences a significant and unforeseen change in circumstances.
Types of Financial Aid
While Columbia is committed to meeting your demonstrated need, any financial aid comes in the form of grants and work-study, not loans. The packages are designed to cover your tuition, fees, room, and board, but remember there will be additional costs like travel and textbooks that you'll need to plan for.
Net Price
The net price is the average cost of the university after aid and scholarship funds are discounted from the total cost. At Columbia International University, the net price for the average student receiving need-based aid is $26,880.
Need-Based Aid
Need-based aid is determined by your or your family’s demonstrated ability to pay for college, as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Columbia International University was $17,455. Additionally, 85% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2022.
Merit-Based Aid
Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Columbia International University was $9,483, excluding any athletic scholarships.
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International student visa data
International students at Columbia University make up a significant proportion of the student body, with the university reporting that international students comprise about 34.9% of the student population. In 2020, there were approximately 10,522 international students at Columbia, with the number increasing to 20,321 in 2023. This includes students enrolled in courses as well as those engaged in post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT).
International students at Columbia come from diverse backgrounds, with at least 50 countries represented on campus. The countries with the largest number of students are China, India, and South Korea. In 2020, there were 5,035 Chinese students, 884 Indian students, and 481 South Korean students at the university.
To be eligible for an international student visa (F-1) for Columbia University, non-US citizens or permanent residents must be enrolled full-time, registering 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. International students with an F-1 visa must maintain their status by registering for at least 12 points of credit-bearing courses each semester. Failure to do so will result in a report to the United States Department of Homeland Security regarding the violation of F-1 regulations.
Canadian citizens do not need an entry visa to enter the US with F-1 or J-1 student status. However, they must present specific documents, including a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019, their TC admission letter, original financial documents, proof of payment of the I-901 SEVIS Fee, and proof of Canadian citizenship. A border inspector will review these documents and determine eligibility for F-1 or J-1 student status, stamping the passport and issuing the necessary documentation.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 20,321 foreign students enrolled at Columbia University as of 2023. This includes 6,483 students engaged in post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Foreign students make up approximately 55% of the total student population at Columbia University as of 2022. If we exclude the students on OPT, this number drops to approximately 38%.
Columbia University has increased its foreign student population in recent years. In 2017, there were 17,202 foreign students enrolled, and by 2022 that number had increased to 20,347, an 18% jump.
Almost half of the foreign students at Columbia University come from China (9,961 students). Indian students account for the second largest group (2,357), followed by Canada in third place (751 students).
Columbia University is one of the top schools in the US when it comes to the number of foreign students. Other universities with high numbers of foreign students include New York University, Northeastern University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Illinois.
