About Business (MBA) at Columbia University
The MBA is a graduate management degree for professionals with work experience, covering strategy, finance, marketing, operations and leadership, with strong recruiting from consulting, finance and technology.
At Columbia University (QS World University Rankings 2026: #38) in New York City, Business (MBA) is one of the subject areas international students choose most. Columbia is an Ivy League university in Upper Manhattan and the oldest institution of higher education in New York State.
Degree levels for Business (MBA)
- MBA — typical length in the US: 2 years (full-time)
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Business (MBA) at Columbia
- MBA: a bachelor’s degree, professional work experience, GMAT or GRE (or an accepted alternative where offered), essays, recommendations and an interview.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Business (MBA) are set separately by the school. Need-based financial aid for some international undergraduates (need-aware admission); graduate funding through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Some programs in this field are STEM-designated — check the program’s CIP code to see if the STEM OPT extension applies.
Apply for Business (MBA) at Columbia with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Business (MBA) at Columbia University.
