Columbia University, officially Columbia University in the City of New York, is a prestigious private Ivy League research university located in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of King George II of Great Britain, it is the fifth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and the oldest in New York State. Columbia University Diploma Sample, After the American Revolution, it was renamed Columbia College in 1784 to reflect the new nation’s ideals, and it adopted its current name, Columbia University, in 1896 (with full university status formalized in 1912).
Columbia has played a central role in American higher education, evolving from a colonial college into a global leader in research, teaching, and civic engagement. Its motto, In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen (“In Thy light shall we see light”), drawn from Psalms, underscores its commitment to enlightenment and knowledge. The university’s location in New York City has long linked its mission to the metropolis’s resources, fostering ties to global issues, arts, finance, media, and international affairs through 11 global centers worldwide.
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The main campus spans 36 acres, featuring iconic neoclassical architecture, including Low Memorial Library and Butler Library. Columbia comprises Columbia College (undergraduate liberal arts), the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of General Studies (for non-traditional students), and numerous graduate and professional schools in fields like law, business (Columbia Business School), medicine (Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons), journalism, international affairs (School of International and Public Affairs), and more.
Enrollment totals approximately 35,000 students (around 9,000 undergraduates and 26,000 graduates as of recent figures), with a highly diverse community representing all 50 U.S. states and over 140 countries. International students form a significant portion, often the highest in the Ivy League. Columbia ranks consistently among the top national universities (e.g., #15 in U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings), renowned for rigorous academics, groundbreaking research (with billions in annual funding), and influential alumni including world leaders, Nobel laureates, and cultural icons. With its Core Curriculum—emphasizing classics, humanities, and critical thinking—Columbia prepares students for leadership in a complex world, blending tradition with innovation in one of the planet’s most dynamic cities.
