Chet Raj Bhandari Written by Chet Raj Bhandari

About Columbia University

Study at Columbia University from Nepal

If you’ve ever dreamed of studying in one of the most influential cities in the world while learning from Nobel Prize-winning professors, Columbia University might be your calling. 

Nestled in the heart of New York City, Columbia doesn’t just offer top-tier academics — it offers access to one of the world’s most powerful professional networks.

For Nepali students, this means more than just a world-class degree. 

It means international internships, multicultural exposure, Ivy League credibility, and the kind of learning that makes you globally employable.

Want to know how to apply from Nepal? Keep reading.

We’ll break it down step by step.

Why choose Columbia University?

  • Location, Location, Location: You’re in Manhattan, surrounded by Fortune 500 companies, major news outlets, tech giants, and art houses. Whether you’re into finance, journalism, science, or policy, New York has it all.
  • Prestige with Purpose: Columbia is part of the Ivy League, but it’s not just about name value. The university is deeply rooted in social change, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.
  • Unmatched Networks: With over 350,000+ alumni worldwide, including Barack Obama, Warren Buffett, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Columbia opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
  • Opportunities for Internships & Research: From Wall Street firms to UN internships, students here are constantly surrounded by opportunities.

Campuses

Columbia has three main campuses in New York City:

  1. Morningside Heights Campus – Main undergraduate and graduate programs.
  2. Columbia University Medical Center – Health sciences, medicine, and public health.
  3. Manhattanville Campus – Business School, arts, and innovation hub.

Number of Courses & Levels

Columbia University offers over 400 programs across multiple levels:

  • Undergraduate: 80+ majors
  • Graduate: 200+ programs
  • MBA: 1 flagship program
  • Doctoral Programs: 80+ research areas

Campus Life

International students at Columbia benefit from:

  • Modern libraries and research centers
  • Student housing and dining halls
  • Sports and wellness facilities
  • 500+ student clubs and cultural societies
  • Dedicated International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)

Notable Alumni

  • Barack Obama – 44th US President
  • Warren Buffett – Business magnate & investor
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Former US Supreme Court Justice
  • Amelia Earhart – Aviation pioneer
  • Jake Gyllenhaal – Actor

Rankings

  • QS World University Rankings 2025: #23
  • Times Higher Education (THE) 2025: #16
  • US News Best Global Universities 2025: #7
  • ARWU/Shanghai Rankings 2025: Top 10

Tuition Fees for Nepali Students

Program TypeAnnual Tuition (USD)Annual Tuition (NPR)
Undergraduate$68,400NPR 9,09,72,000
Postgraduate$55,000NPR 7,31,50,000
MBA$84,496NPR 11,24,36,320

1 USD ≈ NPR 133.00 as of August 2025. Rates may vary. Please check with Goreto for the latest conversion and fee updates.

Library

Columbia University has one of the largest academic library systems in North America, with more than 70 libraries and collections across its campuses.
Students have access to:

  • 13+ million books and digital resources
  • 160,000+ journals and databases
  • 24/7 online research portals
  • Dedicated study spaces and group rooms
  • Specialized libraries for law, medicine, business, and journalism

Career Support and Internships

At Columbia, you’re not just earning a degree — you’re actively building a future.

The Center for Career Education (CCE) connects students to:

  • Paid internships across top firms in NYC and globally
  • Career fairs with recruiters from Goldman Sachs, Google, Amazon, and UN agencies
  • On-campus research opportunities and paid assistantships
  • 1-on-1 career coaching, mock interviews, and resume workshops

Top Companies Hiring

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Google
  • Amazon
  • United Nations
  • World Bank
  • Microsoft
  • McKinsey & Co

Graduate Average Salaries

  • Bachelor’s: $65,000/year
  • Master’s: $80,000/year
  • MBA: $150,000+/year

Part-Time Jobs for Students

As an international student on an F-1 visa, you can:

  • Work on campus up to 20 hours/week during semesters
  • Earn $15–$20/hour working in libraries, dining halls, labs, etc.
  • Apply for CPT/OPT for internships during or after your studies.

On-campus job portal: Student Employment at Columbia

Upcoming Intakes For Capilano University

  • Jan 2025
  • May 2025
  • Sep 2025

Eligibility Criteria for Nepali Students

LevelRequirements
UndergraduateCompletion of +2/NEB with strong grades (3.5+ GPA)
PostgraduateBachelor’s degree (3.3–3.7+ GPA depending on program)
MBA & OthersBachelor’s degree + 2–3 years work experience

Required Documents

Document TypeUndergraduatePostgraduate
Academic Transcripts+2/NEB certificatesBachelor’s degree + marks
Standardized TestsSAT/ACT (optional)GRE/GMAT (if required)
Language TestsIELTS/TOEFL (required)IELTS/TOEFL (required)
LORs2–3 from teachers2–3 from professors/employers
SOPPersonal essayCourse-specific SOP
CV/ResumeNot mandatoryMandatory
Financial ProofRequiredRequired
Passport CopyRequiredRequired

Contact Details

International Entrance exams – Scores Required for Admission:

English Language Requirements

TestUG Min ScorePG Min Score
IELTS7.07.0–7.5
TOEFL100+100–105
Duolingo135+135–145
PTE70+70+

Admission Timeline & Deadlines

Intake SeasonUndergraduate DeadlinesPostgraduate Deadlines
Fall (September)Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Varies by department (generally Dec–Feb)
Spring (January)Not available for UGLimited programs only, rolling deadlines by department

Program Details

BS Computer Science

Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS)

Columbia University

Prog Code:

N/A

Duration:

4 years

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7.0

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

MS Computer Science

Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS)

Columbia University

Prog Code:

N/A

Duration:

2 years

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7.0

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

MBA

Columbia Business School

Columbia University

Prog Code:

N/A

Duration:

2 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

MA International Relations

School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA)

Columbia University

Duration:

2 Years

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Mailman School of Public Health

Columbia University

Duration:

2 Years

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7.0

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

MA Journalism

Columbia Journalism School

Columbia University

Duration:

1 Year

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

7.0

TOEFL:

100+

PTE:

70

*Note:

Fees in USD

Accommodation for Nepali Students at Columbia University

On-Campus Accommodation


Columbia offers university-managed housing options for undergraduate and graduate students.

Rooms are available in residence halls and student apartments located near the Morningside Heights campus.

Housing is limited, and students are encouraged to apply early.

Off-Campus Accommodation


Many Nepali students choose shared apartments in Manhattan or nearby boroughs such as Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) provides resources to help students find safe and affordable housing options.

Columbia University Location and Contact details

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