7 Best Majors at Columbia University

Throughout the years, Columbia University has evolved to meet society’s changing needs, yet its commitment to pushing intellectual boundaries remains steadfast. While all of Columbia’s academic programs are impressive, certain majors have consistently shone bright. Whether due to their historical importance, research opportunities, renowned faculty, or the achievements of their graduates, these majors at Columbia University stand out.

As a Columbia student, you can choose from over 80 areas of study, including a variety of interdisciplinary options and joint programs. Plus, you’ll have access to countless academic and research opportunities through the university’s affiliated graduate schools, centers, and institutes.

Whatever your passions may be, you’ll gain a broad foundation of knowledge, master your chosen field, and complete a thesis or significant research project along the way. In this blog, we’ll be sharing insights into the best majors at Columbia and exploring what makes them appealing to aspiring college students.

• What Are the Best Majors at Columbia University?
• Minors at Columbia University
• How Do You Decide on a Major?
• A Quick Overview of Columbia University
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Majors at Columbia University?

At Columbia, you are required to complete a major. This requirement encourages you to explore both the breadth and depth of a specific discipline, ensuring that you dive deeply into your chosen field. Typically, this involves a mix of introductory courses, methods courses, advanced seminars, and possibly a senior capstone experience like a thesis.

1. Literature and writing

The Columbia School of the Arts offers one of the top MFA programs in creative writing in the country, thanks to its renowned faculty like Toni Morrison, a renowned novelist and Nobel Prize winner, who taught at Columbia early in her career; and the inspiration that comes from its prime location, which also offers countless networking opportunities. Famous alumni include Jack Kerouac, a key figure in the Beat Generation, known for his novel On the Road, and Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake.

Even if you’re not pursuing an MFA, majors at Columbia University—especially in literature—are known for being both challenging and rewarding. With the core curriculum’s focus on classic works, you’ll graduate with a solid foundation in the most influential texts.

2. Journalism

The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism is often considered the gold standard for journalism education worldwide. As the birthplace of the Pulitzer Prizes, it’s no surprise that many of its alumni have gone on to win these prestigious awards. 

Some notable alumni include Ron Suskind, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing (1995) for articles in The Wall Street Journal, and Dana Canedy, who won for National Reporting (2001) for The New York Times’ “How Race Is Lived in America” series.

Just like the strong majors at Columbia University, the journalism school emphasizes a hands-on approach, ensuring students get real-world newsroom experience and report live events.

3. Economics and business

Columbia’s economics department is one of the leaders in global research and thought leadership. Its proximity to Wall Street provides students access to internships, networking events, and post-graduation job placements.

Among the top majors at Columbia University is its business program. Represented by the famous Columbia Business School, it consistently ranks among the top MBA programs in the world, with an alumni network who are all key players in the business world.

4. Political science

Given its location in one of the world’s major political and diplomatic hubs, which is New York City, Columbia is a prime destination for studies in political science. Its faculty boasts renowned scholars like Seymour Martin Lipset, a leading figure in political sociology. Lipset is known for his work on democracy, political culture, and the conditions for stable democracy.

One famous alumni is Herbert A. Simon, who is a Nobel Prize winner in Economics and made foundational contributions to political science, especially in the area of decision-making and rational choice theory.

You can access numerous international organizations, NGOs, and think tanks based in NYC. The study of global affairs is further strengthened by the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), one of the world’s premier institutions for policy studies.

5. Physics

Columbia’s strength isn’t limited to the humanities. Majors at Columbia University, particularly in the physical sciences like physics, have made significant contributions to global knowledge. For example, Charles H. Townes, a Columbia alumnus and faculty member, was a co-inventor of the maser, a precursor to the laser. His work laid the foundation for laser technology, which has since revolutionized industries from medicine to telecommunications.

6. History

Columbia’s Core Curriculum ensures that every undergraduate student gets a chance to go deeper into philosophy, history, music, and art. The history major at Columbia emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and writing. You can explore various regions, periods, and themes, ranging from ancient civilizations to contemporary history.

You can choose to focus on specific areas, such as:

• American history
• European history
• Asian history
• Latin American history
• Middle Eastern history
• Global history

Famous alumni include W. E. B. Du Bois, a sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and was a leading figure in the early 20th-century African American civil rights movement as well as George C. Marshall who was instrumental in the post-World War II recovery plan known as the Marshall Plan.

7. Computer science

Computer science is one of the most popular majors at Columbia and across the country. It’s a career-focused field with tons of job opportunities in the industry. 

At Columbia, you’ll take courses like Open Source Development, Innovation & Design Lab, Mobile App Development for iOS, Applied Machine Learning, and Causal Inference for Data, all designed to give you hands-on experience and prepare you for the tech world.

Minors at Columbia University

Most students graduate from Columbia with one major, which means they focus on one program of study. The requirements for each major at Columbia University can vary quite a bit, and you might find that your semesters are pretty packed with the courses needed for your major and the core curriculum.

If you have room in your schedule for electives, you can mix things up by taking liberal arts courses from different departments or even shape your elective coursework by declaring another program of study.

While you can declare a second major, many students choose to pursue another area of interest through a minor. A minor allows you to explore the liberal arts more deeply, guided by the expertise and interests of the faculty. Typically, an academic minor requires about 5-6 courses, and sometimes there may be prerequisite courses to complete.

As a Columbia student, you can choose a minor in one of several subjects. For a complete list, you may refer to the Columbia website. 

Just keep in mind that minors are a relatively new addition to the undergraduate curriculum, so some departments are still working on their proposals. This means that the list of available minors will continue to grow.

Some of the minors you can choose from are:

• Art history
• Human rights
• Mathematical probability
• Visual arts
• Sustainability development

Columbia’s special programs

In some cases, Columbia College partners with the professional schools or affiliated programs to offer special programs of study that go beyond the typical liberal arts curriculum. If you complete one of these programs, it will show up on your transcript as a “special program.” 

Keep in mind that a special program can only be pursued as a secondary area of study, so you’ll still need to complete a major at Columbia University to earn your BA degree.

You can pursue a special program under the following departments:

• Business Management
• Public Health
• Urban Education

How Do You Decide on a Major?

Let’s get down to basics: your career prospects are a significant factor in determining what Columbia University major you will take. In today’s competitive job market, the major you choose can be your ticket to a high-paying job or a stumbling block in your career progression.

Majors at Columbia University like computer science, engineering, and business often lead to lucrative job offers right out of college, thanks to Columbia’s strong industry connections and stellar job placement services. But keep in mind that it’s not just about the money. Job satisfaction and growth potential are also important.

Remember, a major that aligns with your skills and interests will make your college years more enjoyable and prepare you for long-term career success.

One of the most critical choices that a high school or college student must make is selecting a concentration of study. It is one that many people wish they could retake; according to one survey, 61% of college graduates would switch majors if they could return to school.

However, not everyone suffers from a case of buyer’s remorse when they receive their diploma. The following is a list of the most significant considerations to make when selecting the best majors at Columbia University.

1. Consider your skills.

Create a list of your accomplishments and areas of interest to get started. After you’ve finished, ask your family and friends about what they would say about you. Sometimes, we need a third party to point out the qualities and abilities we sometimes take for granted.

Include any fields that have always piqued your curiosity but that you’ve never committed to studying in depth. You should also mention things you used to be good at but haven’t done in a while.

2. Investigate possible professions.

When you have a list of your interests and passions, the next step is to investigate what kinds of professions meet those interests. For example, if you have a passion for music, you could pursue a career as a music instructor or a club promoter or look for work at a charity organization dedicated to music.

After compiling a list of career prospects, you should consider observing those currently employed in those positions to get a feel for what it’s like to do the job.

3. Estimate future earnings.

Most careers have their progression tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Visit the site and choose the professional fields that interest you most. You will be able to discover what employment is available in each sector from that location.

4. Consider how much you need to invest in your studies.

It’s not true that all majors are created equal. There is a significant difference in the effort required for various programs. Think about how much time you can devote to your training and how committed you want to be as a student. Research any advanced degrees you may require after you graduate college if you want to work in the field that interests you.

A Quick Overview of Columbia University

Columbia University, founded in 1754 and located in Upper Manhattan, is a prestigious Ivy League institution with a rich history. Originally established as King’s College, it was renamed after the American Revolution. Columbia has produced notable alumni, including U.S. Presidents, Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners.

The university administers the Pulitzer Prize and is organized into 20 schools, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its Morningside Heights campus spans six city blocks and is home to landmarks like Butler Library and the Low Memorial Library. The campus is designed with Beaux-Arts principles, creating a space where various disciplines thrive. Popular student spots include The Steps and the Alma Mater statue, symbolizing the university’s academic spirit.

Acceptance rate

Columbia University’s undergraduate acceptance rate is 3.85%, making it one of the most selective Ivy League schools.

GPA requirements

Columbia University doesn’t have an official minimum GPA, but if you’re aiming for one of the most selective schools, your GPA needs to stand out.

The average GPA of admitted students at Columbia typically sits around 3.9. Most applicants have nearly perfect grades, with mostly A’s and a few B’s here and there. If your GPA is around 3.9 or higher, you’re in a competitive spot.

Keep in mind, Columbia values students who challenge themselves with rigorous courses like AP, IB, or honors. Taking tough classes shows that you’re ready to handle the academic demands of an Ivy League school.

ACT and SAT scores

Columbia University doesn’t require the SAT or ACT anymore. It’s been test-optional for a few years, so whether you submit scores is entirely up to you. Their holistic review process means they’ll consider everything else in your application—like your course load, grades, and personal qualities—so not submitting test scores won’t hurt your chances.

However, if your SAT scores are strong (the average SAT score at Columbia falls between 1510 and 1560, and the average ACT score between 34 and 35.), it could be beneficial to submit them as a way to showcase your academic readiness. But if your scores fall below Columbia’s average, you’re better off focusing on other strengths, like your essays or recommendations, to make your application stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Columbia University specialize in?

Columbia is known for its strength in various fields like journalism, political science, economics, and literature and creative writing. It is more renowned for its arts and humanities degree programs.

2. Is it difficult to get into Columbia?

According to US News and World Report, the acceptance rate for Columbia is at 4% which means that it’s a competitive school.

3. What are the SAT and ACT scores needed for Columbia?

The average SAT score at Columbia falls between 1510 and 1560, and the average ACT score between 34 and 35.

4. Does Columbia University offer financial aid?

Yes, Columbia offers need-based financial aid and has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students. It is also a need-blind institution for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, meaning your ability to pay does not affect your chances of admission.

5. Is Columbia a good school?

Yes, Columbia University is widely considered a good school. It is one of the eight Ivy League institutions—which are generally the top schools in the US known for their academics, faculty, research opportunities, and alumni network.

Takeaways

• Columbia University is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in humanities, political science, economics, engineering, law, business, and journalism. It also offers the rigorous Core Curriculum, which emphasizes classic texts and critical thinking.
• Columbia also offers undergraduate students to choose among minors and special programs.
• Eager to apply to Columbia? We got you. At AdmissionSight, we have more than ten years of experience in helping students get into Ivy League schools and other top colleges.