Columbia Business School Tuition

Last Updated on July 28, 2023

Columbia Business School is a respected 301–400 business school. Columbia Business School is ranked as one of the top business schools in the nation.

columbia business school tuition remains the same for international and domestic students. Learn more about columbia business school by reading these articles: columbia university mba fees for international students, columbia business school fees for international students, columbia business school tuition 2020, columbia business school scholarship and more.

Only Columbia Business School gives you the opportunity to shape your career in the very center of business. There’s something about being positioned in New York City, where access to leaders across industry is truly advantageous. Here you will learn to take on challenges and respond dynamically. You’ll gain skills to succeed in fast-moving, competitive environments anywhere. Hone your strengths. Find your best career path. Realize success.

Curriculum

Business is evolving more rapidly than ever before. The challenges are more complex, the stakes are higher, and the players are increasingly global. The only constant today is change and Columbia Business School prepares its students not just to navigate change, but to use it to create new opportunities.

Courses at Columbia Business School are taught both by the School’s stable of 150 full-time faculty members — thought leaders whose research is transforming the way business is conducted across the world — and by more than 100 adjuncts — practitioners from a wealth of industries who, because of the School’s symbiotic relationship with New York, can take the subway uptown to teach a class on their lunch break.

The School’s comprehensive core curriculum builds the foundation necessary for success in any field, while electives offer insight into specialized areas of expertise. Versatile programs like Master Classes, the Individual, Business, and Society Curriculum, and Columbia CaseWorks all approach business education in new ways and the School’s cluster system encourages students to learn not only with but from, their peers.

Beyond the classroom, the School’s more than 100 student organizations, its remarkably accessible alumni network, cutting-edge research centers, and countless events all work in tandem to help students rewire their brains for success amid uncertainty.

MBA Student Life

Whether you come to us from across the world or on the cross-town bus, your student experience will be defined by more than coursework.

It starts with your cluster and learning team. You and your classmates will come to rely upon one another for everything from the heavy lifting of solving business conundrums to the lifting of a glass at happy hour (perhaps the eco-friendly beer mugs designed by the Green Business Club!).

Be a part of it all, and it will become a part of you.

Program Structure

Columbia Business School’s core curriculum consists of two full-term courses and eight half-term courses.

A staple of the Columbia experience, the core curriculum is designed to give students an in-depth mastery of the academic disciplines and applied functional areas necessary to every business leader’s success. Taught by both full-time professors and practitioners, the core leaves students with more than just practical knowledge; case-based lessons and collaborative learning models train students to analyze, decide, and lead — rather than merely know — while creating a common student experience that fosters a deep and tenacious community.

Before each term, exemption exams are offered, allowing students already deeply versed in a particular subject area the opportunity to replace core courses with electives.

First Term Core Courses

PRE-TERM

Lead: People, Teams, Organizations
(1/2 term equivalent)**

FIRST HALF

• Managerial Statistics
• Strategy Formulation
• Financial Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Managerial Economics

SECOND HALF

• Business Analytics
• Marketing
• Financial Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Global Economic Environment

Second Term Core Courses

FIRST HALF

• 1/2 Elective
• 1/2 Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

SECOND HALF

• Operations Management
• 1/2 Elective

Electives

Beginning in the second term, students select from one of the largest and most innovative slates of electives at any business school.

Columbia’s more than 200 offerings allow students to immerse themselves in specialized topics with faculty members who are at the forefront of innovation in their fields and practitioners who bring real-world, real-time experience to the classroom. The School also encourages students to take advantage of the more than 4,000 graduate-level classes available across the University, as well as the School’s many dual-degree programs. Students may assemble their own elective sequences or select from the School’s recommended courses for common career paths, such as entrepreneurship, healthcare, marketing, media, real estate, value investing, and social enterprise.

 New York, US Full-time

 Formats: In-person Duration: 2 years 

Intakes: August and January 

Accreditations: AACSB 

Cost: $156,610 Avg.

Starting Salary: $125,000

 Avg. GMAT score: 724 Avg.

Undergrad GPA: 3.5

Entry Requirements

Each year, applicants from a wide variety of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds apply to the Columbia MBA program.

And while every student who joins our community is unique, they share certain defining traits: they are driven by a strong work ethic, ready to build and foster professional and personal relationships, and they are determined to make a real impact on the world through their chosen field.

Transcripts

A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required for admission to Columbia Business School. Applicants should scan and submit PDF versions of transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution from which they have received a degree. 

Do not send paper transcripts via mail when first applying. If offered admission, you will be required to provide sealed hard copies or encrypted digital copies of your transcripts from each of the colleges or universities listed on your application. Offers of admission are not binding until academic records have been verified.

GPA

Applicants should report their grade point average as it appears on their transcript.

GMAT or GRE Score

All applicants must submit a self-reported GMAT or GRE score. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application. (CBS considers scores valid for five years after the test date). Both the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Integrated Reasoning (IR) sections are required if you take the GMAT.

If admitted, you must submit an official GMAT or GRE score. Columbia Business School’s GMAT code is QF8-N6-52, and its GRE code is 6442. The Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score when reviewing your application and will not combine subscores from multiple exams into a single composite score.

Essays

Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays.

Short Answer Question:

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:

• “Work in business development for a media company.”
• “Join a strategy consulting firm.”
• “Launch a data-management start-up.”

Essay 1:

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2:

The full-time MBA experience includes academics, recruiting, and networking. What are your personal priorities and how do you anticipate allocating your time at Columbia Business School? (250 words)

Essay 3:

Please select and answer one of the following essay questions: (250 words)

• Please tell us what you feel most passionate about in life.
• If you were given a free day and could spend it anywhere, in any way you choose, what would you do?

Optional Essay:

Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? If so, use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)

Knight-Bagehot Fellows:

Rather than answer Essay 1, current Knight-Bagehot Fellows applying to Columbia Business School should use the space allocated to the first essay (500 words) to complete the Wiegers Fellowship application essay.

Wiegers Fellowship Essay Question:

What are your career goals? How has the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship affected these goals? How will an MBA help you achieve these goals? (500 words maximum)

Recommendations

All first-time applications require two recommendations. Reapplicants are required to submit one new recommendation. If you have been working full-time for at least six months, one recommendation should be from your current supervisor. If you are unable to secure a recommendation from your direct supervisor, please submit a statement of explanation in the Employment section of your application. The second recommendation should be from either a former direct supervisor or from another professional associate, senior to you, who can share their insights on your candidacy.

If you are a college senior or have worked full-time for fewer than six months, at least one, but preferably both, of your recommendations should be from a person who can comment on your managerial abilities. You may ask a summer employer or another person whom you feel can objectively assess your professional promise. The second recommendation may be from a college professor.

Please note that Columbia Business School and several of our peer institutions use similar, if not identical, recommendation questions. This is an effort on our part to make the process easier for your recommenders. We expect that you, the applicant, will not participate in the drafting of these recommendations. Applications are not considered complete until all required information is submitted. This includes recommendations.

We ask recommenders to consider the following guidelines when writing their recommendations (recommended limit – 1000 words):

• How do the candidate’s performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
• Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.

Application Submitted/Received

Keep in mind applications cannot be reviewed until they are complete. Missing required materials, updated test scores, or additional materials must be received by the Admissions Office within three weeks of your application submission.

Once we have received all required application components your application will begin the review process. During this stage, your application is reviewed by at least two admissions officers, after which you will be either invited to interview or denied admission. Please note that August-entry Regular Decision applications will not be reviewed until all January and Early Decision applications are complete.

For all terms of entry, our goal is either to invite applicants for an interview or deny admission within six weeks of a completed application being received. Our goal for interviewed applicants is to render a final decision within two weeks of the interview report being completed.

Interview

Applicants may be invited to interview with one of our alumni. In most cases, interviews are offered in the applicant’s geographic area, and invitations to interview can be sent at any time after a completed application has been received by the Admissions Office. Interviews are by invitation only and cannot be requested.

Application Fee

The nonrefundable application fee for the Columbia Business School MBA Program is US$250. Applicants are strongly encouraged to pay this fee via credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) within the online application system in order to expedite the processing of their application.

Applicants unable to pay by credit card should contact the Admissions Office at [email protected] for directions regarding alternative methods of payment.

Fee waivers are available to full-time students, active duty US military personnel, and members of the Peace Corps, or Teach For All network partners who are currently in service. Proof of current service is required. Applicants who qualify for a fee waiver should email a fee waiver request, as well as proof of service, to [email protected] and explain their need for a fee waiver in the optional essay. Please allow up to one week for an update to your online status confirming that your fee waiver has been approved.

Costs

CATEGORYCOST

Tuition$148,800

Mandatory fees$7,810

Total$156,610

Fees & Expenses IN USDINR

1st year tuition fees

Fees components	Amount
Tuition & fees	INR 58,38,793

Other expenses in 1st year

Fees components	Amount
Hostel & Meals	INR 15,42,101
Mandatory Fees	INR 2,99,803
Health Services & Insurance	INR 3,67,415
Books & Supplies	INR 24,147
Personal Expenses	INR 4,71,323
Total	INR 27,04,789

Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 75.46|

Tuition & expenses were last updated on 27ᵗʰ August 2020

columbia business school fees for international students

Estimated Expenses for the Academic Year

An itemized estimate of the cost of attending Columbia College for the 2021–2022 academic year of nine months is as follows:

FEE	COST
Tuition	$60,514
Mandatory Fees	$3,016
Average Room and Board Cost	$15,450
Books and Personal Expenses	$3,604
Travel	varies
Total	$82,584 + Travel

There is an additional charge of $485 for new students who are required to attend Orientation.

Fees

The following fees, prescribed by statute for each Fall or Spring term, are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Trustees. The fees shown are those in effect during the 2021–2022 academic year.

University charges, such as tuition and fees, residence halls, and dining plans, are due and payable in full by the date announced before the beginning of each term. To check on an account balance, log in to Student Services Online (SSOL) or call 212-854-4400. A late payment penalty is assessed on payments received after the due date.

It is the policy of the University to withhold all University services, including registration, diplomas, and official transcripts, until all financial obligations have been met.

Tuition 2021–2022

There is a flat tuition charge for all Columbia College students, including visitors, regardless of the number of credits a student is taking. Students who are enrolled for eight terms must pay the flat tuition, regardless of the number of credits they are taking. The charge for 2021–2022 is $30,257 a term.

Postgraduate special students and degree candidates enrolled for a ninth term are billed according to the per-point system; the per-point cost is $2,022.

Late Registration Fee

Students who register after the scheduled period (see Academic Calendar) are charged a late registration fee of $100.

Mandatory Fees*

FEE	COST
Student Life Fee*	$1,770
Columbia Health and Related Services Fee	$1,246
Total	$3,016

*Students registered in Columbia College (Fall Term): $843; Students registered in Columbia College (Spring Term): $927

Document Fee

All first-time registrants at Columbia University are charged a one-time document fee of $105, which thereafter allows them to order transcripts and enrollment and degree certifications, and to receive the mailing of the original diploma at no additional charge. This fee appears on the first Student Account Statement of the Fall term.

International Services Charge

All students holding a non-resident visa are charged an international services charge of $120 each term, totaling $240 for academic year 2021-2022. This fee supports the University’s services to international students.

Columbia Health and Related Services Fee and Student Health Insurance Premiums

Columbia Health and Related Services Fee

Columbia Health programs and services are supported by the Columbia Health and Related Services Fee. Students can access the on-campus services provided by the units of Columbia Health and pay no additional charges for most on-campus services:

·         Alice! Health Promotion, including the Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP)

·         Counseling and Psychological Services

·         Disability Services

·         Medical Services

·         Sexual Violence Response 

All full-time students, international students, and and part-time students who are on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan are required to pay the Columbia Health and Related Services Fee. Half-time or part-time students pay a reduced fee and have access to some, but not all, of the services.  Half or part-time students may elect to upgrade to the full-time fee to have access to the full range of on-campus programs and services. For details on the fee levels please visit the Columbia Health website.

The Columbia Heath and Related Services Fee is billed separately for each term. The periods of coverage and fees for 2021–2022 are as follows:

TERM	DATES	COST
Fall Term	August 15, 2021–December 31, 2021	$623
Spring Term	January 1, 2022–August 14, 2022	$623

Student Health Insurance Premiums

To ensure students have access to high-quality healthcare while at Columbia, University policy requires all full-time students and all international students to have health insurance coverage that meets University requirements, in addition to the on-campus programs and services provided by Columbia Health. Columbia University offers the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan (Columbia Plan), administered and underwritten by Aetna Student Health. Please visit the Columbia Health Insurance website for plan benefits and cost. 

International students

Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be complex. To help ensure that international students have access to the highest quality of care on- and off-campus, Columbia University requires all international students to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan.  On a limited case-by-case basis, international students may qualify for an exception. 

Waivers and exceptions

Domestic students who have an alternate insurance plan that meets established criteria set by the University may submit a request for a waiver and on a limited, case-by-case  basis, some international students may submit a request for an exception. Visit the Columbia Health website for more information about waiver and exception criteria.

Waiver and exception requests are due at least two weeks before the enrollment deadline (September 30 for Fall enrollment; February 15 for new Spring enrollment; or June 15 for new Summer enrollment). All requests are considered, but approval is not guaranteed. Students who do not submit a request for a waiver or exception in a timely manner will be charged the insurance premium on their term bill and are responsible for these charges.

Students must confirm their enrollment on SSOL or submit a request for a waiver (domestic students) or exception (international students) on the Columbia Health Patient Portal every year. Students will receive reminders thorough their Columbia email.

Please contact the Student Health Insurance Team with any questions. They can be reached via [email protected], or by visiting the office on the 3rd Floor of John Jay Hall.

Withdrawal and Adjustment of Fees

Withdrawal is defined as the dropping of one’s entire program in a given term as opposed to dropping a portion of one’s program . Any student withdrawing from the College must notify the Center for Student Advising in writing; notification to instructors or failure to attend classes does not constitute an official withdrawal from the College and will result in failing grades in all courses.

A student who withdraws is charged a withdrawal fee of $75. In addition, students will be charged a housing fee once they leave a university residence. All application fees, late fees, and other special fees are not refundable if the student withdraws after the first 30 days of classes, and any coverage remains in effect until the end of the term. Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the University and are on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan will be terminated from the insurance plan and receive a pro-rated refund of any remaining premium as a credit to their student account. As with other University fees, the Columbia Health and Related Services Fee is non-refundable and not pro-rated.

columbia business school tuition

The estimated student budget for the 9-month 2019-2020 academic year is listed below and includes tuition, mandatory fees, health service fees & health insurance, books & supplies, and moderate living expenses. This number represents the maximum amount of funding you can receive through any scholarships, fellowships, sponsorship, or student loans. The Financial Aid office recommends that you borrow responsibly and only the amount you truly need.

We encourage you to budget for the beginning and end of each semester as well as the summer after business school to ensure you have a bit of a buffer for your living expenses.  

2019-2020 BUDGET	STUDENT
Tuition	$77,376
Mandatory Fees*	$1,920
Health Services & Insurance	$4,601
Books & Supplies	$900
Room & Board	$21,375
Personal expenses (clothing, MetroCard, etc.)	$6,066
Second Year Total Budget	$112,238

*Mandatory fees include instructional materials fee, facilities fee, and loan fees. International students pay an additional $100 per semester for an ISSO fee.

Students may incur additional costs not included in the budget above and should prepare accordingly. Examples include:

• Chazen-approved study tours, cluster travel, treks, recruiting trips and other job search-related expenses
• Medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Optional club dues, conferences, travel, and event costs
• Summer expenses before, during, and after school
• Past or current credit card or other consumer debt

The room and board budget breakdown is as follows:

Room – $13,950 ($1,550 per month)
Board – $5,625 ($625 per month)
Utilities – $1,800 ($200 per month)

Budget Appeals

In determining the budget, the University applies a conservative and modest estimate of living expenses to all students. Students who face higher costs due to extenuating circumstances may request a budget increase by submitting a formal appeal along with appropriate documentation. 

columbia mba cost 2021

At Columbia, we understand that executive MBA students juggle multiple responsibilities. That’s why we offer support during the program that allows you to focus on your academic work and minimizes the burdens of daily life.

• All required textbooks, delivered to your home or office each semester
• Meals on all class days (breakfast, lunch, and snacks)
• Conference center accommodations during residence weeks
• Your residence and meals during the weeklong international seminar in the second year

As a student, you will be responsible for purchasing:

• A laptop computer to use throughout your studies
• Your own airfare for the international seminar
• Any additional travel arrangements throughout the program

Columbia EMBA tuition and fees:

• The total Executive MBA tuition and fees for May 2021 and August 2021 entry: $219,720

harvard mba tuition

2021-2022 Cost of Attendance: Class of 2022 and Class of 2023

	SINGLE	MARRIED	MARRIED WITH ONE CHILD	MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN
TUITION	$73,440	$73,440	$73,440	$73,440
HUHS STUDENT HEALTH FEE (SHF)	$1,242	$1,242	$1,242	$1,242
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (SHIP)	$4,040	$4,040	$4,040	$4,040
HUSHP FOR STUDENT SPOUSES/DEPENDENTS	$0	$8,306	$12,720	$14,938
COURSE & PROGRAM MATERIALS FEE	$2,550	$2,550	$2,550	$2,550
ROOM & UTILITIES (9 MONTHS)	$14,340* ($1,593/mo)	$22,380** ($2,487/mo)	$28,780*** ($3,198/mo)	$28,780 ($3,198/mo)
LIVING EXPENSES (9 MONTHS)	$15,930 ($1,770/mo)	$20,270 ($2,252/mo)	$25,280 ($2,809/mo)	$30,310 ($3,368/mo)
TOTAL	$111,542	$132,228	$148,052	$155,300
COMPUTER (VARIABLE; NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE BUDGETS)	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500

Note: for 3 children, add $5,000 living plus $5,760 for incremental rent for 3br. For 4+ children, add $5,000 living for each kid

*based on average area market rate for 2 bedroom apartment w/roommate
**based on average area market rate for 1 bedroom apartment
***based on average area market rate for 2 bedroom apartment

2020-2021 Cost of Attendance: Class of 2022

Please note that eligibility for Federal student aid is based on the single student budget.

Visit the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences and MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program Admissions & Financial Aid pages for the Cost of Attendance for each program.

IMPORTANT ANNUAL COST OF ATTENDANCE DETAILS

9 Months of Classes, 12 Months of Rent

The academic year is nine months. While HBS dorms have a nine-month lease, off-campus housing often requires a 12-month lease. If you live off campus, or stay for a summer program, you will need to cover the additional three (3) months’ rent, as well as utilities and monthly expenses.

Federal Student Aid

According to Federal regulations, total eligibility for Federal loans is based on the total annual cost of attendance for a single student.

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage is mandatory. The Annual Cost of Attendance above shows two separate charges for health insurance. The Student Health Fee (SHF) is mandated for all students and may not be waived. However, if you participate in another health insurance plan with comparable coverage to the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you may waive the SHIP portion of your health fees.

Optional Activities

There are countless opportunities to participate in optional activities during your time at HBS. While the MBA Program Cost of Attendance makes allowances for many of the typical expenses, there is no way to anticipate specific costs for each individual student. It is important to understand that students who get financial aid will need to make choices—or plan additional savings to cover the costs of optional activities.

columbia business school tuition payment

2021-2022Summer 20212020-2021

Tuition

Program	Program Points	Tuition Per Term (Semester)	Tuition Per Point (Credit)	Fees and Additional Information
Certificate in Business Research			$1,668	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
EMBA
– EMBA 21 NY			$3,478	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA 22 NY			$3,554	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA 23 NY			$3,662	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Americas 21			$3,478	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Americas 22			$3,554	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Global 21			$3,160	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Global 23			$3,280	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Global Asia 21			$3,036	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA Global Asia 23			$3,082	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA NY (Saturday 2021 EM)			$3,554	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA NY (Saturday 2022 EM)			$3,554	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
– EMBA NY (Saturday 2023 EM)			$3,662	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MBA	0-23	$38,688	$2,584	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Accounting (continuing students)			$2,254	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Accounting (entering students)		$24,790		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Financial Economics (continuing students)			$2,668	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Financial Economics (entering students)		$32,012		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Leadership			$1,950	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
MS in Marketing		$33,806		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.
Ph.D
– Advanced Residence (4th, 5th, and 6th year)		$7,750		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement. We encourage students to consult with their school’s financial aid office to understand what other costs may make up their total cost of attendance, such as books and supplies; room and board; personal expenses, etc.
– Extended Residence Unit	0-6	$19,344		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement. We encourage students to consult with their school’s financial aid office to understand what other costs may make up their total cost of attendance, such as books and supplies; room and board; personal expenses, etc.
– Full Residence Unit	More than 6 points	$38,688		Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement. We encourage students to consult with their school’s financial aid office to understand what other costs may make up their total cost of attendance, such as books and supplies; room and board; personal expenses, etc.
Three Year J.D. / MBA	0-23	$58,032	$3,876	Here are the centrally administered charges that may appear in the student’s monthly billing statement.