10 most popular majors at Columbia University!

Best Majors at Columbia University, New York

Columbia University (CU) in New York City has three undergraduate schools besides its highly regarded Business School, Teachers College, Law School, and College of Physicians and Surgeons. The university offers various study programs through its colleges, such as Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies. Columbia also has some graduate and professional schools. The university has a prestigious graduate institute, the Journalism School, and a College of Dental Medicine. Students prefer Columbia for its high-quality education and facilities that help their career growth. In this blog, we will discuss the most popular majors at Columbia University.

Check out: Columbia University | Top 40 FAQs answered!

Highest Paying Majors at Columbia University

Computer Science and Engineering 

• Average starting salary: $95,000-$110,000
• Strong placement in tech companies and startups
• High demand in Silicon Valley and NYC tech scene

Financial Engineering/Operations Research 

• Average starting salary: $90,000-$105,000
• Popular pathway to quantitative trading and fintech
• Strong connections to Wall Street firms

Electrical Engineering

• Average starting salary: $85,000-$100,000
• Opportunities in tech, telecommunications, and energy sectors
• High demand for hardware and embedded systems expertise

Chemical Engineering 

• Average starting salary: $80,000-$95,000
• Roles in pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing
• Intense research and development opportunities

Economics/Mathematics 

• Average starting salary: $75,000-$90,000
• Common path to investment banking and consulting
• Strong analytical skills valued across industries

Industrial Engineering 

• Average starting salary: $75,000-$90,000
• Roles in logistics, supply chain, and operations
• Growing demand in e-commerce and manufacturing

Biomedical Engineering 

• Average starting salary: $70,000-$85,000

• Opportunities in medical devices and healthcare tech
• Intense research and development potential

Check out: Guide to Columbia University’s Sustainability Management 

Benefits of Studying at Columbia University

• The Ivy League universities are famous as the world’s best institutions of higher learning. Columbia University is one of them!
• It is a close-knit community with a small main campus of 36 acres almost entirely residential. 
• Founded in 1754, Columbia University’s original name was King’s College. Columbia University has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception over 267 years ago. Columbia’s first graduating class consisted of only five students, but the university now has over 50,000 living undergraduate alumni.
• 309 Havemeyer Hall is a celebrity in a world of classrooms. Columbia University is well known for having the most videotaped college classrooms. It served as the setting for over a dozen films, including all three Spider-Man movies.
• Columbia is the birthplace of some of the world’s most brilliant inventions. The Manhattan Project was a significant undertaking that occurred during World War II. Columbia University researchers developed the first nuclear weapon, the atomic bomb. The FM radio, neon laser, and many other early inventions occurred at Columbia.
• Columbia now has a spectacular alumni base with over a thousand patents for projects and research.
• Columbia University acceptance rate – 4%

Read more: Columbia University | Acceptance Rate and more

Here are the 10 most Popular Majors at Columbia University

Columbia University is famous for its Ivy League education because of its competitive admission process. The following are the most common and popular majors at Columbia University. 

The Social Sciences at Columbia University

This major is frequently regarded as the most prestigious and competitive option for CU students and programs. This program allows students to broaden their social horizons while gaining experience in various research topics worldwide.

Engineering at Columbia University

Students who want to work in this field should consider attending the world-renowned Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. It is one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in the United States, and it came into existence in 1863, making it one of the country’s oldest engineering schools.

Information and Computer Sciences at Columbia University

Columbia University has many connections with large firms in the New York City area, and it does exceptionally well for the  University and its popular majors. As Columbia University confers such a prestigious degree, graduates are eligible for a wide range of internships and career opportunities in this sector once they complete their studies.

Psychology at Columbia University

Barnard College’s psychology program at Columbia is one of the most rigorous and selective in the country, only the best students get an invitation to enroll to gain insight into potential careers and build a solid foundation that includes everything they will ever need to know about this industry. Students can engage in various hands-on and case studies to ensure their education is as relevant as possible.

Biomedical and Biological Sciences at Columbia University

Many students who begin college to pursue a career in the medical field will select one of these undergraduate majors as their first step toward that goal. Columbia University students have a competitive advantage when applying to medical school because the university offers a diverse range of options.

Study Writing at Columbia University

The School of Arts at Columbia University focuses on journaling and creative writing as primary activities. When taking a writing course at Columbia, students have incredible opportunities to learn from the most renowned authors and academics from prestigious publications, such as the New York Times.

Study Film at Columbia University

Columbia University’s School of the Arts has an international reputation for excellence. Students accepted into this industry can put their interests into practice by participating in Broadway productions and other prominent film and theater ensembles. Due to the university’s central location, students flock to Columbia’s film department.

History at Columbia University

Students at CU have access to a wide range of history classes, and many fall in love with the subject and decide to major in it. Following this degree, students typically earn doctorates and start careers in education. After completing a history major, Many aspire to work at Columbia University, either as a student or as a professor.

Read more: The University of Minnesota | Ranking!

Pharmacology at Columbia University

Pharmacy is one of Columbia University’s School of Medicine’s most prestigious graduate programs. Students who want to continue their education beyond the undergraduate level will work hard to ensure that they get admission to one of the country’s most competitive programs and receive the best education possible from the program offered at CU.

Statistics and Mathematics at Columbia University

Columbia has an excellent math program that prepares students for graduate school and careers in the field. Most students who graduate with a degree in this field from Columbia are highly successful today.

Read more: Columbia University | Exploring fees and financial aid

Key Takeaways

• Columbia has several graduate and professional schools. The university is home to the prestigious Journalism School and the College of Dental Medicine. Students prefer Columbia for its high-quality education and facilities that help them grow. 
• Columbia University has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception over 267 years ago. Columbia University researchers invented the first nuclear weapon, the atomic bomb. The FM radio, neon laser, and many other early inventions also occurred at Columbia.
• There are many popular majors available at CU. History, Pharmacology, Mathematics and Statistics, Psychology, Engineering, Information and Computer Sciences, and Writing are popular CU majors.

Did you find this blog informative? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Contact us for more information on the 10 most popular majors at Columbia. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

Liked this blog? Read next: Your handy guide to The University of Law Birmingham.

FAQs

Ques 1: Is it difficult to get admission into Columbia University?

Answer 1: According to the U.S. News & World Report, the acceptance rate to Columbia University is 6%, which implies that admissions are highly competitive.

Ques 2: Does the graduate school of Columbia University accept only TOEFL scores?

Answer 2: The Graduate School of Columbia accepts not only TOEFL scores but also IELTS scores. An applicant must obtain the following scores as all the given tests are compulsory- 

• TOEFL PBT- 600 
• TOEFL iBT- 100+
• IELTS- 7.5

Ques 3: What is Columbia University known for?

Answer 3: Columbia University (CU) in New York City has three undergraduate schools besides its highly regarded Business School, Teachers College, Law School, and College of Physicians and Surgeons. The university offers various study programs and is known for its Academic Values and Research.

Ques 4: What are the Columbia University courses and fees?

Answer 4: Here are some of the top programs at the Columbia University – 

Ques 5: What major is Columbia University known for?

Answer 5: Columbia University is known for these majors, namely Computer Science, Economics, Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology, History, English, Neuroscience and Neurobiology, Performing Arts, Engineering, and Biology. 

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Study Abroad Expert

`