A new way to tour Columbia
A typical CU tour can feel impersonal, leaving you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a guide the school assigns you.
SchoolScoops offers private Columbia University tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own CU student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.
SchoolScoops is the more personal way to tour Columbia University
Private and personalized CU tours
On a traditional Columbia University campus tour you’re just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private Columbia University tour led by a real CU student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.
Choose your own tour guide
Unlike a traditional Columbia University campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.
No scripts, just scoops
Traditional Columbia University campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the CU experience.
Find out if CU is the school for you
Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private CU tour helps you decide if Columbia University is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.
Can't make it to campus?
Book a 1-on-1 video chat with an CU student for personalized insights. Learn about academics, campus culture, and New York life without leaving home.
Book a video chatReal feedback on student-led campus tours
Get to know Columbia University
Columbia University is a world-renowned Ivy League research university located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City. Known for its academic excellence, historic campus, and urban energy, Columbia blends tradition and innovation in the heart of Manhattan. Students who book a Columbia University campus tour experience firsthand how one of the oldest universities in the U.S. continues to shape global education, research, and leadership.
Overview
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private Ivy League institution offering more than 100 undergraduate majors and hundreds of graduate programs across its schools and colleges. Its Core Curriculum - a hallmark of a Columbia education - encourages critical thinking across disciplines. A Columbia University tour or Columbia campus visit gives future students the chance to explore Columbia’s iconic academic quad, world-class libraries, and the dynamic culture of New York City that surrounds the campus.
Size
As of fall 2023, Columbia University enrolls approximately 34,782 students, including 8,902 undergraduates and 25,880 graduate and professional students. A private Columbia University campus tour provides an inside look at how this globally recognized research institution fosters a close-knit academic and social community within an exciting metropolitan environment.
Acceptance rate
Columbia is one of the most selective universities in the nation, with an acceptance rate of around 4%. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1500–1560 on the SAT or 34–35 on the ACT. Prospective students who attend a Columbia college tour or Columbia college visit gain valuable insight into what the admissions team values - academic excellence, leadership, and intellectual curiosity.
Cost
For the 2024–2025 academic year, undergraduate tuition at Columbia University is approximately $65,524, with the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students. About half of undergraduates receive financial aid, with an average award of over $76,000. During a Columbia University campus tour, student guides often share their experiences with scholarships, campus housing, and how they balance the cost of living in New York City.
Ranking
According to U.S. News & World Report, Columbia University ranks among the Top 20 National Universities and remains one of the highest-ranked Ivy League schools for research, innovation, and global influence. Booking Columbia University tours lets prospective students experience firsthand why Columbia is consistently recognized among the world’s best universities.
Academics
Columbia offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across schools such as Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies. Popular programs include Economics, Political Science, Computer Science, and Journalism. Visitors joining Columbia University tours can explore classrooms, libraries, and laboratories that promote collaboration between students and faculty across disciplines.
Traditions
Columbia’s traditions are steeped in pride and history - from the Core Curriculum and Orgo Night to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Homecoming, and Commencement on Low Plaza. Experiencing these moments during a campus tour Columbia University helps visitors connect with the culture and spirit that make the school unique.
Campus landmarks
Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus features stunning architecture and historic landmarks like Low Memorial Library, Butler Library, St. Paul’s Chapel, the Alma Mater statue, and College Walk. Visitors on a Columbia University tour can explore these celebrated sites while enjoying sweeping views of Upper Manhattan and the Hudson River.
Student body
Over 85% of Columbia students come from outside New York State, representing all 50 states and over 150 countries. A private Columbia campus visit offers firsthand perspective on Columbia’s diverse, global community and its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and academic excellence.
Become a SchoolScoops guide
In college? Earn $40/hour hosting 1-on-1 campus tours and video chats with future students.
Become a guideYour Columbia University questions, answered
Where is Columbia University located?
Columbia University is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. A Columbia University campus tour lets visitors explore the 36-acre campus, steps from Central Park, surrounded by cafés, museums, and vibrant city life.
Is Columbia University an Ivy League school?
Yes, Columbia University is one of the eight Ivy League institutions and is recognized for academic excellence, global leadership, and a distinguished history that dates back to 1754.
What is Columbia University known for?
Columbia is best known for its Core Curriculum, world-class programs in Political Science, Economics, Computer Science, and Journalism, and for producing Nobel laureates and global innovators. Taking a Columbia campus visit helps students experience the university’s intellectual and cultural energy firsthand.
How hard is it to get into Columbia University?
With an acceptance rate near 4%, Columbia is one of the most selective universities in the world. Applicants typically have GPAs above 3.9 and demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a passion for impact - topics often discussed during a Columbia college visit.
How much is tuition at Columbia University?
For 2024–2025, tuition is approximately $65,524 per year, and the total cost of attendance averages $93,000 annually. Columbia meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, a topic often covered during a Columbia college tour.
Is Columbia University public or private?
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research institution located in New York City, offering the same tuition rates for all students, regardless of residency.
When was Columbia University founded?
Columbia was founded in 1754 as King’s College and later renamed Columbia University after the American Revolution, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.
How many students attend Columbia University?
Columbia enrolls around 34,000 students, including roughly 9,000 undergraduates and 25,000 graduate and professional students - a diverse mix that adds depth to every Columbia University campus tour experience.
Does Columbia University offer in-person and virtual tours?
Yes! You can register for Columbia University tours through the admissions office or explore campus remotely via a Columbia virtual tour. For a more personal experience, book a private Columbia University campus tour through SchoolScoops and connect one-on-one with a current student.
What makes Columbia University tours special?
Whether you join an official admissions tour or a Columbia college visit, you’ll experience a blend of academic rigor, historic charm, and urban vitality. A Columbia University campus tour showcases life in one of the world’s greatest cities - an authentic glimpse into what it means to be part of Columbia.
Interested in other schools?
SchoolScoops also offers tours and video chats at many other schools
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