Columbia University School of General Studies (GS), established in 1947, is the finest liberal arts college in the country dedicated specifically to nontraditional students seeking a traditional Ivy League education. Nontraditional students include those who have, for personal or professional reasons, interrupted their educations, never attended college, or are only able to attend part time.
GS is unique among colleges of its type because its students are fully integrated into the Columbia undergraduate curriculum—they take the same courses with the same faculty members and earn the same degree as all other undergraduates at the University. In the classroom, the diversity and varied personal experiences of the student body promote discussion and debate that is unparalleled in the Ivy League, fostering an environment of academic rigor and intellectual development.
In addition to its core undergraduate program, GS is home to the Columbia University Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and International Dual Degree Programs with Sciences Po, Trinity College Dublin, Tel Aviv University, List College, and University of Hong Kong.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Office of Admissions
Address
408 Lewisohn Hall, Mail Code 4101
2970 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
2970 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
Phone
212-854-2772
Email
gsdegree@columbia.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Low Memorial Library
Butler Library
Alfred Lerner Hall
Lewisohn Hall
College Walk
Low Plaza, Northwest Corner Building, Dodge Gym, Miller Theatre
Butler Library
Alfred Lerner Hall
Lewisohn Hall
College Walk
Low Plaza, Northwest Corner Building, Dodge Gym, Miller Theatre
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
212-854-2772
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
212-854-2772
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Not Available
Times
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Arrangements
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Transportation
Save SchoolAdmissions
Overview
Applicants: 504
Acceptance Rate: 30%
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
703 - 750
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
763 - 790
SAT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1470 - 1495
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
32 - 34
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Action — March 1
Regular — May 15
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Non-Academic
Interview
Character / Personal Qualities
First Generation
Work Experience
Level of applicant's interest
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
6:1
Total Faculty
3,270
with Terminal Degree
2,489
1,942
Men
1,328
Women
891
Minority
164
International
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
72%
Graduate in 5 years
94%
Graduate in 6 years
97%
Majors
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African Studies.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Area Studies.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
Asian-American Studies.
Chinese Studies.
East Asian Studies.
Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
French Studies.
German Studies.
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies.
Italian Studies.
Japanese Studies.
Korean Studies.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
Latin American Studies.
Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
Polish Studies.
Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign)
Russian Studies.
Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies.
Slavic Studies.
Spanish and Iberian Studies.
Ukraine Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Biochemistry.
Biology, General.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Biomedical Sciences, General.
Biophysics.
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.
Ecology.
Environmental Biology.
Evolutionary Biology.
Neuroscience.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business Administration and Management, General.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Information Science/Studies.
-
EDUCATION.
Education, General.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
Writing, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Comparative Literature.
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other.
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Italian Language and Literature.
Portuguese Language and Literature.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Russian Language and Literature.
Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
History.
-
LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Dancing.
Music.
Theatre/Theater.
Writing.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Applied Mathematics, General.
Mathematics and Statistics, Other.
Mathematics and Statistics.
Mathematics, General.
Mathematics, Other.
Mathematics.
Statistics, General.
Statistics, Other.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Ancient Studies/Civilization.
Classical and Ancient Studies.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
Forest Sciences and Biology.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy, Other.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies, Other.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Astronomy.
Chemical Physics.
Chemistry, General.
Chemistry, Other.
Chemistry.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physical Chemistry.
Physics, General.
Physics.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology, Other.
Anthropology.
Archeology.
Economics, General.
Economics, Other.
Economics.
Political Science and Government, General.
Political Science and Government.
Sociology.
Urban Studies/Affairs.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Dance, General.
Dance.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other.
Jazz/Jazz Studies.
Music, General.
Music.
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Visual and Performing Arts, Other.
Degrees
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Simon Kuznets
Nobel Prize-winning economist
Louis Simpson
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Baruj Benacerraf
Nobel Prize-winning physician
R.W. Apple
Acclaimed journalist and author
Jacques Pepin
Emmy Award-winning chef and author
Kristi Zea
Academy Award-winning producer and set designer
Baruj Benacerraf
Nobel Prize-winning immunologist
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
72%
Graduate in 5 years
94%
Graduate in 6 years
97%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Dates
Application Deadlines
Jun 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms CSSProfile
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$39,465
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$37,679
Average Need-Based Loan
$5,609
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
33%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$39,946
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$63,060
Required Fees
$2,920
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
Yes
Board for Commuters
$5,580
Transportation for Commuters
$1,287
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal and Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
No
Direct Lender
No
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
2,234
Demographics
10.25%
Asian
4.92%
Black
11.24%
Hispanic
40.42%
Caucasian
1.97%
Unknown
26.86%
International
46% female
54% male
66% are out of state
73% are full time
27% are part time
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
30%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
First-Year Students living on campus
31%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
63/99
Housing Options
Apartment Married
Apartment Single
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Apartment Single
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
International Student
Theme Housing
Frat Sorority
International Student
Theme Housing
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
500
Number of Honor Societies
Number of Social Sororities
Number of Religious Organizations
40
Sports
Athletic Division
Division I
Men's Sports (Lions)
14 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Women's Sports (Lions)
16 Sports
Archery
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
Womens Center
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Fordham University
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Manhattan College
Womens Center
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Fordham University
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Manhattan College
Sustainability
60*
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education:
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
No
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Apple; Dell
Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings
Institution has a mental health/wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and well-being services available to all students
Not Reported
Mental Health Website
Not Reported
Education & Training
Types of training available for students and faculty/staff
Program
Availability
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Engaging the Whole Campus
Institution has a Chief Behavioral Health Officer (and/or Chief Wellness Officer)
Not Reported
Peer-to-Peer
Institution has peer-to-peer offerings relating to mental health
Not Reported
Residential Life
Institution incorporates mental health and wellness into the residential experience
Not Reported
Student Orientation
Students who are provided an opportunity to participate in mental-health-orientation activities
First-year students
Not Reported
Incoming transfer students
Not Reported
Returning students
Not Reported
Entering graduate students
Not Reported
Mental Health in the Curriculum
The institution offers for-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported
The institution offers non-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported
Off-Campus Offerings
Institution offers referrals to off-campus counseling services
Not Reported
Health and Counseling Center Accreditation
Institution's counseling center is accredited
Not Reported
Accrediting body
Not Reported
Taking and Returning from Medical Leave
Institution has an official support program in place for students returning from mental health leave of absence
Not Reported
Counseling Demand
Number of months a year counseling center is open and fully staffed
Not Reported
