Why Give

While other private arts colleges are becoming increasingly selective, Columbia is welcoming and affordable. 
Our generous admissions policies and moderate tuition - about $16,300 a year - have fueled enrollment growth of more than 25% over the past five years. Enrollment this fall is projected to reach 11,500 students; many of whom are first-generation college students, members of racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, and come from homes with incomes of less than $36,000.

We aim to make the Columbia experience affordable. Tuition increases over the past three years average about 3% - substantially lower than the national average for private, or public, colleges. And our Board of Trustees recently approved plans to award as many as 700 new scholarships to low-income students. Click here to learn more about or help support our scholarship programs.

Columbia is a leader in arts and media education 
Our success in attracting and retaining students also reflects the innovative new academic programs that we deliver, including an MFA in Composition for the Screen, a BA in Game Design, and a semester-long intensive program in Comedy Studies, delivered in collaboration with The Second City, a national leader not only in improvisational comedy, but in television and film production, corporate training, and education.

So, why give to Columbia?
We need your help so that Columbia can maintain affordability; so that access and opportunity are not denied because of economic barriers. And so that the college can continue to innovate in the classroom and to create an exciting, vibrant campus environment. There are many ways to give to Columbia, and our Office of Institutional Advancement looks forward to working with you to find an opportunity that fits your interests.