The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science was founded in 1864 as the School of Mines at Columbia College. Originally, the school was intended to teach students the fundamentals of mining and engineering. During its early years, the school offered courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mining engineering and civil engineering. In 1896, it was renamed to the School of Mines and Metallurgy. In 1905, it became part of Columbia University and was renamed once again to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science in recognition of a generous gift from Chinese industrialist Fu Kwo-ting.
Through its history, the school has evolved to become one of the world’s leading research institutions in engineering and applied sciences. It is currently home to over 8,000 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students who are pursuing degrees in a wide range of disciplines including computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. The school is also home to many renowned researchers who have made groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence. In addition to its academic programs, the school offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as student organizations and clubs that allow students to explore their interests outside the classroom.
As one of the best engineering schools in the state of New York, Columbia University Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science has reported the following admissions statistics, including the acceptance rate, average GPA/GRE scores, and minimum TOEFL scores for iBT and paper test. Also covered is overall rankings and tuition scholarship information for Columbia University Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science.
Columbia Engineering has an acceptance rate of 7.1%, which means that only 7 out of every 100 applications are accepted into the school. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1520 and the average ACT score is 34. In terms of GPA, the middle 50% range for accepted students is 3.88-4.0, with a median GPA of 3.93. Furthermore, Columbia Engineering has a diverse student body; over 40% of its undergraduate population are international students and 40% are U.S. minority students, making it one of the most diverse engineering schools in the country. Additionally, Columbia Engineering boasts a high graduation rate; over 90% of its undergraduates graduate within four years and 97% graduate within six years. Furthermore, Columbia Engineering’s graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in industry, government, and academia; many have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields and have been awarded prestigious honors such as Nobel Prizes and MacArthur Fellowships.
Fall 2022 Admissions Statistics
Total applicants (master’s and Ph.D.)
4,293
Total acceptances (master’s and Ph.D.)
1,232
Overall acceptance rate
28.7%
Fall 2022 Admissions Information
Application deadline for U.S. residents
01/12
Application fee for U.S. residents
$70
Application deadline for international students
01/12
Application fee for international students
$70
Director of admissions
Tiffany Simon
2022 Entering Class GPA and GRE Scores
GRE required?
The GRE is required for all departments.
Average GPA of new entrants in master’s program
3.50
Number reporting GPA for master’s programs
314
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
525
Number reporting verbal GRE score for master’s programs
584
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
774
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for master’s programs
584
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in master’s program
4.00
Number reporting writing GRE score for master’s programs
578
Average GPA of new entrants in doctoral program
3.60
Number reporting GPA for doctoral programs
76
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
519
Number reporting verbal GRE score for doctoral programs
123
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
768
Number reporting quantitative GRE score for doctoral programs
123
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in doctoral program
4.20
Number reporting writing GRE score for doctoral programs
121
Average GPA of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
3.50
Number reporting GPA for both master’s and doctoral programs
390
Average verbal GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
524
Number reporting verbal GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
707
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
773
Number reporting quantitative GRE scores for master’s and doctoral programs
707
Average writing GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
4.00
Number reporting writing GRE score for both master’s and doctoral programs
699
TOEFL
TOEFL required for international students?
Yes
Minimum TOEFL score required for computer test
220
Minimum TOEFL score required for paper test
560
Ranking: Columbia University (Fu Foundation)
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science at Columbia University is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the country. According to U.S. News & World Report, Columbia’s engineering school is tied for second place with Stanford and MIT, behind only Caltech. In 2021, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed Columbia in 8th place among all universities in the world for engineering and technology. In addition to its overall standing, many of its individual departments are also highly ranked. Its computer science program is ranked 4th in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and its biomedical/bioengineering program is tied for 7th with Harvard and MIT according to QS World University Rankings. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science offers a comprehensive selection of degree programs ranging from undergraduate degrees to doctorates, including a variety of interdisciplinary programs that allow students to explore topics across multiple disciplines such as robotics and data science. With world-class faculty and state-of-the-art research laboratories, Columbia’s engineering school provides students with an unparalleled educational experience that prepares them for successful careers in a wide range of industries and professions.
Top Engineering Schools
Score
64
Peer assessment score (5.0 highest)
3.6
Recruiter assessment score (5.0 highest)
3.5
Average quantitative GRE score of new entrants in both master’s and doctoral programs
773
Overall acceptance rate
28.7%
2020 Ph.D. student/faculty ratio
4.2
Faculty membership in National Academy of Engineering
13.3%
2020 Engineering school research expenditures (in millions)
$92.9
Research expenditures per faculty member (in thousands)
$678.4
2020 Ph.D.’s granted
86
Total graduate engineering enrollment
1,657
Tuition & Financial Aid: Columbia University (Fu Foundation)
Financial Aid Contact Information
Financial aid director
Tiffany Simon
Financial aid phone
(212) 854-6438
2022-2023 Expenses
Tuition
Full-time: $37,440 per year, part-time: $1,248 per credit
