Columbia University accommodation includes on campus comfortable and reasonable accommodation for new as well as returning students. Along with the live campus, Columbia University provide wifi facilities, 24*7 library, dining hall with chairs and tables, etc., which helps students to live comfortably on campus.

Most of the Columbia University dorms are located in the Morningside Heights and Manhattan Valley neighborhoods. The university also has residence halls within 20 minutes from the campus, in Riverdale. At Columbia, 92% of the students live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing and 8% of students live off-campus.

Also Check: Reviews of Columbia University Accommodation

Columbia University Accommodation Cost

Other than tuition fees, the following are the expenses that you should know for admission and Columbia University housing:

Particulars Amount in USD Amount in INR
On campus room cost 9,986 8.17 lakhs
On campus meal cost 9,615 7.87 lakhs
Books and supplies cost 3,672 3 lakhs
Other living expenses cost 1,984 1.62 lakhs
Average Total Expenses 25,257 20.68 lakhs

Check Out: Columbia University Accommodation (Spanish)

Columbia University Housing: Residence Halls

Discussed below are the cost of a particular on-campus hall or housing accommodation to clarify more to the students.

Bancroft Hall

Bancroft Hall is located at 509 W 121st Street. Bancroft contains a number of one bedroom apartments and shared apartments (two and three bedrooms).

Room Type Cost per sem (In USD ) Cost per sem (In INR)
One Bedroom 4,632-11,659 3.79 lakhs to 9.54 lakhs
Two Bedroom (Share) 2,767-7,721 2.26 lakhs to 6.32 lakhs
Three Bedroom (Share) 2,465-7,437 2.01 lakhs to 6.09 lakhs
 

Grant and Sarasota Hall

Grant and Sarasota hall located at 514 and 512 W 122nd Street respectively, having six story buildings with four apartments on each floor. With a courtyard side apartment you will get a bedroom, kitchen space, bathroom, and living room opening into the hallway.

Room type Cost/semester (In USD) Cost/semester (In INR)
One bedroom apartment 4,008-12,228 3.28 lakhs to 10.01 lakhs

New Residence Hall

If students want to choose a location at 517 W 121st St. they can select ‘New Residence Hall’. The students will get a modern building that contains 252 units, all with private bathrooms, and most of those units have shared kitchens also.

Room type Cost per sem ((In USD) Cost per sem (In INR)
Efficiency 3,299-9,472 2.70 lakhs to 7.75 lakhs
Studio 3,836-11,080 3.14 lakhs to 9.07 lakhs

Whittier Hall

Whittier Hall is located at 1230 Amsterdam Avenue (at the corner of 120th Street).

Room type Cost per sem (In USD ) Cost per sem (In INR)
Single Room 2,163-6,827 1.77 lakhs to 5.59 lakhs
Suite Room 2,435-6,660 2 lakhs to 5.45 lakhs
Studio 3,589-11,215 9.93 lakhs to 9.18 lakhs
Single Room With Private Bath 2,881-7,284 2.35 lakhs to 5.96 lakhs
Two Bedroom Share 3,051-7,231 2.49 lakhs to 5.92 lakhs

Also Check: Student Accommodation in USA for International Students

Columbia University Housing: First-Year Accommodations

First-year students are guaranteed housing for a period of four years, subject to their guaranteed housing status and their admission standing. All new students are accommodated in the Southfield section of the campus, which is regarded as the central hub of undergraduate life at Columbia.

First-year students have five distinct housing options to choose from, which include Carman Hall, Furnald Hall, Hartley Hall, John Jay Hall, and Wallach Hall. Each of these halls offers a range of exclusive features and advantages, ranging from private single rooms in corridor-style residences to shared double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. To help students narrow down their preferences, it is recommended that they review the details of each residence hall.

Halls Details Cost per year (USD) Cost per year (INR)
Carman Hall 13 floors | 13 singles & 287 doubles rooms | 2 elevators | Hardwood flooring 9,986 8.17 lakhs
Furnald Hall 10 floors | 190 singles & 28 doubles rooms | Hardwood flooring 9,986 to 11,096 8.17 lakhs to 9.08 lakhs
Hartley Hall 9 floors | 158 singles & 36 doubles rooms | Furnished rooms 9,986 to 11,096 8.17 lakhs to 9.08 lakhs
John Jay Hall 11 floors | 395 singles & 36 doubles rooms | 2 elevators | Hardwood flooring 9,986 8.17 lakhs
Wallach Hall 9 floors | 141 singles & 51 doubles rooms | 2 elevators | Hard Surface flooring | Furnished rooms 9,986 to 11,096 8.17 lakhs to 9.08 lakhs

Columbia University Housing: Graduate Accommodations

Graduate housing at Columbia University is done at Columbia Residential. Columbia Residential oversees the management of 150 apartment buildings, with the majority of the units situated in the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and Manhattanville, which are located between 103rd and 125th Streets. In addition, university housing can be found in Riverdale, which is located in the Bronx and can be reached from the campus in 20 minutes by shuttle bus.

All the accommodation types listed in the table below are accessible to students. The student housing comprises of suite-style dormitories and shared apartments, along with a restricted quantity of studio and one-bedroom units, which are primarily reserved for couples and families. A very limited number of more spacious units are also available for students with children.

Accommodation Details Rent (USD) Rent (INR)
Apartment 2 or 3 bedroom share | Personal bedroom for every resident, shared areas include the kitchen, bathroom, living area, and other similar spaces  1,390 1.13 lakhs
Studio Private bathroom and kitchen in a single unit; primarily reserved for couples, with a few units allocated for singles 1,550 to 3,400 1.26 lakhs to 2.78 lakhs
One-bedroom Only couples and families with children are allowed, and the unit consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and one bedroom 2,300 1.88 lakhs
Two-bedroom Limited availability for families with children only, and the unit includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms 2,500 2.04 lakhs

In general, student housing is offered for a minimum of one semester (fall or spring) and is limited to the length of the degree program. 

Columbia University Housing: How and When to apply?

Room Selection is a yearly process where existing undergraduate or graduate students opt for on-campus accommodation for the upcoming academic year. Students have several housing options available, such as shared doubles, suites, or apartments for group living or a private single in a corridor-style room or studio apartment. First-year students are not involved in the process of Room Selection, instead, they are allocated to one of the designated First-Year residence halls. The important dates for uperclass students are mentioned below:
 

Important Dates Events
March 22, 2023 Room Selection Lottery Number posted on Housing Portal
March 24, 2023 Room Selection appointment time posted on Housing Portal
March 27 to April 15, 2023 Room Selection
April 30 to May 1, 2023 Application Deadline for Summer Housing
May 21 to May 22, 2023 Summer Housing Check-in
July 31 to August 1, 2023 Deadline for Fall Interim Housing
August 26 to August 27, 2023 Bag drop and International first-year student check-in

Columbia University Housing: Graduate Housing Important Dates

For students to qualify for housing applications through Columbia Residential, they need to be enrolled as full-time students in a housing-eligible degree program either on the Morningside or Manhattanville campus.

Important Dates Events
March 15, 2023 Fall 2023 housing applications open
May 1, 2023 Fall 2023 housing selection begins
September 22, 2023 Fall 2023 housing applications close
September 29, 2023 Last day for Fall 2023 move-ins
October 1, 2023 Spring 2024 housing applications open
November 1, 2023 Spring 2024 housing selection begins
January 24, 2024 Spring 2024 housing applications close
January 31, 2024 Last day for Spring 2024 move-ins

Please note that students are allowed to submit a maximum of two applications per semester. Any additional applications after the second one will not be taken into consideration.

Columbia University offers a range of on-campus housing options to accommodate the diverse needs of its student population. From suite-style dormitories to shared apartments and single units, students have a variety of choices to suit their preferences and living arrangements. The university ensures that students have a comfortable and safe place to call home during their academic tenure, with guaranteed housing available for up to four years for incoming first-year students. With a variety of neighborhoods and campus locations to choose from, Columbia's accommodations provide students with the convenience and resources to make the most of their university experience.

FAQs

Ques: Does Columbia University provide housing?

Ans: Yes, Columbia University provides on-campus housing options for its students. The university manages a variety of apartment buildings, residence halls, and suites, with different housing options available for different groups of students. For example, incoming first-year students are guaranteed housing for up to four years, subject to their admission standing and housing status, while other students can participate in a yearly Room Selection process to choose on-campus accommodation for the following academic year. Columbia's accommodations are designed to meet the diverse needs of its student population and provide a comfortable, safe, and convenient living experience.

Ques: Is housing guaranteed at Columbia University?

Ans:For incoming first-year students, housing is guaranteed at Columbia University for up to four years, subject to their admission standing and housing status. For graduates, student housing is offered for a minimum of one semester (fall or spring) and is limited to the length of the degree program.

Ques. Where do students live at Columbia University?

Ans. First-year students have five distinct housing options to choose from, which include Carman Hall, Furnald Hall, Hartley Hall, John Jay Hall, and Wallach Hall. Each of these halls offers a range of exclusive features and advantages, ranging from private single rooms in corridor-style residences to shared double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. Graduate housing at Columbia University is done at Columbia Residential. Columbia Residential oversees the management of 150 apartment buildings, with the majority of the units situated in the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and Manhattanville, which are located between 103rd and 125th Streets. .