Undergraduate academic requirements
- Completion of high school education or equivalent.
Degree type
Bachelor's
Key facts
- Duration4 years
- Delivery methodOn campus
- PaceFull-time
- Annual tuition fee72,800USD
- Start dateSep
- QS Ranking#43
Program overview
What Columbia University says about their program:
Sociology is an undergraduate programme at Columbia University. Sociology is the study of society. In examining patterns of association, sociologists explore the interactions of people, communities, and organizations. In this sense, sociology is not the study of people; it is the study of the relationships among people. This study includes the associations between people and the products of human interaction, such as organizations, technologies, economies, cities, culture, media, and religion. In the kinds of questions it asks, sociology is a deeply humanist discipline and sociologists demand the analytic rigor of scientific investigation.
In training students in our department, we encourage them to ask big questions and we work to give them the tools to provide answers. These tools might mean ethnographic observation, pouring through historical archives, looking at census data, analyzing social networks, or interviewing people from various walks of life.
As a bridging discipline that seeks the scientific exploration of questions that matter to human communities, such as inequality and social injustice, sociology addresses many of the same areas of life as our neighboring social science disciplines. Yet we often approach these areas quite differently. For example, problems of economic and political life are a central concern to sociologists. Rather than explore these as independent or particular features of society, we seek to embed them within the complex whole of the social world. Students will find the Department of Sociology to be a broad, demanding department that provides its students with the conceptual and methodological tools to make sense of the opportunities and social problems of the global communities in which we live.
Admission requirements
English proficiency
If your native language is not English or your primary high school instruction was not in English, you must submit standardized test scores. Columbia accepts the following exams with typical competitive or minimum benchmarks:
- TOEFL iBT
Recommended score of 105 or higher.
- IELTS Academic
Recommended score of 7.5 or higher.
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
Recommended score of 125–135 or higher.
- Cambridge English Qualifications
Minimum score of 191 on C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
English proficiency waivers
You do not need to submit an English proficiency exam if you meet any of the following conditions:
- Scoring 29 or higher on the ACT English or Reading sections.
- Scoring 700 or higher on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (note that Columbia reinstated SAT/ACT requirements for terms starting August 2027 onward).
- Having English as your native/home language or completing your entire secondary education with English as the primary medium of instruction
Documents required
- Secondary school report (transcripts)
- Standardized test (SAT, ACT)
- Teacher recommendations
- Columbia-specific questions*
*Note: Columbia-specific questions, also known as the writing supplement, tell the Committee on Admissions more about your academic, extracurricular and intellectual interests.
Required grades
We're still gathering required grade information for this program
Check back soon, or for the latest information on required grades.
to see how attainable this program is.
Additional requirements
Documents
- Online application is required
- High school transcripts, secondary school records, or GED/TASC results are required for applicants with fewer than 30 earned college credits
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required
- CSS Profile is required for applicants seeking financial aid
Essays and statements
- One typed, double-spaced autobiographical essay of approximately 1,500-2,000 words is required
Recommendations
- Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources are required
Tests and examinations
- SAT, ACT, or the Online GS Admissions Exam may be submitted optionally
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test is required for eligible non-native English speakers
Scholarships at Columbia University
Columbia provides information for international applicants seeking aid and notes that many Columbia students, including international students, receive financial awards from outside organizations. International students should follow Columbia Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial Services guidance for international financial aid and scholarship funding.
All scholarship information on Studee is provided for guidance only. Always check the for the latest information on eligibility, award amounts, deadlines, and application requirements.
Fees
What is the cost of living near Columbia University?
| Category | Cost (in United States Dollar) |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre | $3,712 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre | $2,223 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse) | $130 |
| Internet (60 Mbps unlimited) | $67 |
| Mobile phone plan (data + calls) | $61 |
| Monthly public transport pass | $134 |
| Monthly grocery basket | $294 |
| Books and study supplies (monthly) | $107 |
| Coffee shop drink | $6 |
| Cinema or cultural event ticket | $21 |
| Gym membership | $118 |
Indicative monthly costs per person.
Data sourced from livingcost.org (Crowdsourced), numbeo.com (Crowdsourced) and cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu (University published).
Visa requirements for Columbia University
Navigating the visa process is a crucial step in your study abroad journey. Make sure to seek guidance and support to ensure you meet all necessary requirements for your time at Columbia University.