Columbia University SAT & ACT Scores
No, Columbia University does not require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 applicants to Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. Enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT had a middle 50% of 1510–1560 and a median of 1540. ACT senders had a middle 50% of 34–35. Columbia admitted 4.9% of 59,611 applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Columbia University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Columbia University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Columbia College and Columbia Engineering are test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; the SAT or ACT becomes required (with a hardship waiver) for students applying for fall 2028 entry.
Superscoring. Columbia University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Columbia University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
- AnnouncedSAT or ACT required for first-year and transfer applicants starting with the 2027–28 cycle (fall 2028 entry); applicants facing hardship may request a waiver.
Columbia went test-optional in 2020 because testing was hard to access during the pandemic and later extended the policy with no end date. That changes soon. Starting with the cycle that opens in August 2027, students applying for fall 2028 entry must send the SAT or ACT, and applicants facing hardship can request a waiver. For fall 2027 applicants, testing stays fully optional. You choose on the application whether to have scores reviewed, and you cannot switch from yes to no after you submit. Columbia superscores the SAT and ACT, accepts either test equally, and has no minimum score.
Columbia University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560, and the median was 1540.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1510 | 1540 | 1560 |
| Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 777 |
| Math | 760 | 780 | 800 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering who submitted scores (test-optional), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering). 50% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Columbia's 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering) shows a 25th percentile of 1510, a median of 1540, and a 75th percentile of 1560 for enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT. Section ranges were 740–777 in Reading and Writing and 760–800 in Math. 50% of enrolled students sent an SAT score.
Because testing was optional, these ranges describe only the students who chose to submit, not the whole class. Under the current policy, a score well below 1510 is often better left off, while a score in or above the range can add evidence to your file.
Columbia superscores, so your best Reading and Writing and best Math from different test dates combine into one score.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Columbia University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–35 on the ACT, with a median of 35.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 35 | — | 36 |
| Math | 32 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering who submitted scores (test-optional), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering). 17% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
17% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class sent an ACT score. Their middle 50% composite was 34–35, with a median of 35. Section ranges were 35–36 in English and 32–35 in Math.
Columbia superscores the ACT across sittings, including scores from the former and current ACT. If you send the optional Science section, it calculates the composite with and without Science and uses the higher one.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Columbia University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 4.9% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants59,611
- Admitted2,946
- Acceptance rate4.9%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Columbia University 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering).
Columbia offers binding Early Decision and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
If your SAT is at or above 1540, or your ACT is at or above 35, sending it puts you in line with the middle of enrolled students who submitted. A score at or above 1560 or 35 is in the top quarter. If you are a younger student who will apply for fall 2028 or later, plan to test, since the requirement returns for that cycle.
Columbia says testing is one of many parts of its review, alongside your coursework, the rigor of your curriculum, and the rest of your application, and students who apply without scores are not disadvantaged. With an admit rate of 4.9%, most applicants are not admitted, so scores support an application rather than decide it.
How Columbia University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4.6% | 1550 | 1520–1570 | 34–35 | Required |
| Yale University | 4.7% | 1540 | 1480–1560 | 33–35 | Required |
| Columbia University | 4.9% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.9% | — | — | 34–35 | Required |
| Princeton University | 5% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Duke University | 5.2% | 1550 | 1510–1570 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Columbia College and Columbia Engineering are test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; the SAT or ACT becomes required (with a hardship waiver) for students applying for fall 2028 entry. SAT or ACT required for first-year and transfer applicants starting with the 2027–28 cycle (fall 2028 entry); applicants facing hardship may request a waiver. Columbia University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Columbia University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1540 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1510–1560, so a quarter scored 1560 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Columbia University?
A score at or above 1560 puts you in the top quarter of Columbia University's enrolled first-years, and 1510–1560 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Columbia University?
Columbia University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–35, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Columbia University's acceptance rate?
Columbia University admitted 4.9% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (2,946 of 59,611), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Columbia University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 50% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 17% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Columbia University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.