Columbia University Accommodation: Cost, Facilities & Photos

New York City, New YorkLocation

UniversitySchool type

Estd1754established year

36649enrollment

Private (Not for Profit)

New York Campuscampus

7.2/10

22 reviews

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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

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 student housing in Columbia University accommodation types listed in the table below are accessible to students.

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 20, 2024	Room Selection Lottery Number posted on Housing Portal
March 22, 2024	Room Selection appointment time posted on Housing Portal
March 27 to April 18, 2024	Room Selection
May 1, 2024	Application Deadline for Summer Housing
May 19, 2024	Summer Housing 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
October 1, 2024	Spring 2024 housing applications open
November 1, 2024	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. .

Columbia University Accommodation: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 22 Reviews

Students at Columbia University primarily live on-campus for all four years, with a meal plan required in the first year. On-campus housing includes dormitories, suite-style, and apartment-style living. Off-campus accommodations are chosen by a minority, with rental costs ranging from $900 to $1,500 per month per person, depending on sharing arrangements and proximity to the campus.

Graduate students do not have on-campus options and often rent apartments near campus, averaging $1,400 per month. Food expenses for off-campus students range from $500 to $800 monthly. Columbia offers housing outside the campus for graduate students, but it can be more expensive than private arrangements.

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My Columbia Uni review

Likes

Columbia University opens a lot of doors, if you focus on networking with the alumni you will have a lot of benefits. There are plenty of mixers that happen throughout the semester and it is a good place to start.
There is a lot of flexibility in the courses you can pick within the program, this will help in navigating what your interests are.
If you are interested. in working in finance or consulting, being in New York city adds a ton of benefits with potential employers

Dislikes

The assistantship do not sponsor tuition, which is usually different from most public universities in the country
Since it is only a 16 month long degree, the course work will feel very heavy. You will have to be mentally prepared to grind to maximize the experience
On-campus housing is very limited and very hard to get, it is also expensive

Accommodation

Off Campus

I lived off campus initially and found the housing through a broker. Connect with current students and group chats for support. Try to stay as close to the campus as possible to maximise your experience.
Most Indian students stay close by as it is convenient. Try to stay under 125th st for a safer experience, especially for girls. The university offers shared cab services for late night upto 3 am so its not a problem.

I lived off campus initially and found the housing through a broker. Connect with current students and group chats for support. Try to stay as close to the campus as possible to maximise your experience.
Most Indian students stay close by as it is convenient. Try to stay under 125th st for a safer experience, especially for girls. The university offers shared cab services for late night upto 3 am so its not a problem.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 6/10

placement: 6/10

extracurricular: 6/10

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Tanushree Jain

Columbia University( Enrolled 2023 )M.S Industrial EngineeringSeptember 19, 2025

9.0 /10

My Master's at Columbia University review

Likes

The professors were outstanding — highly knowledgeable, approachable, and deeply invested in their students’ growth, offering excellent research opportunities.
The courses were very well structured, featuring in-depth projects that directly connected to real-world applications and professional life.
Campus life was vibrant, with a variety of activities and seasonal events that made it easy to meet new people and build connections. We also had numerous employer info sessions that helped us stay updated on industry trends and opportunities.

Dislikes

During my time on campus, there was a lot of unrest related to the Israel - Palenstine conflict with a lot of student protests and backlask from the College body, This led to a lot of patrolling bu police on campus as well as a lot of changes in the college body representatives. This was very overwhelming to me as it became diffciult to be on campus due to this and people would protest in libraries and then they would close them down and have additonal checks on campus. This led to a noticeble difference in my time there.
The length of the program was 1.5 years, I felt that it could have been longer, I felt lost the first 6-8 months and by the time I started grooving and understadning thigns beetter my time at Columbia came to an end.
The campus placement cell has not been particularly supportive. While the University organizes many networking sessions, the placement officers themselves have not provided the level of guidance or help I had hoped for.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I lived off-campus. I found my roommates through college whatsapp groups and eventually found my place through online housing portals on Zillow. My rent was about 1500 a month and I stayed about 10 minutes walking distance from campus. I did not have much difficulty finding it. Columbia does offer their own housing but that is through a lottery system and there is no guarantee about their timelines and surety of securing a place. I would recommend everyone finalize their housing before travelling, or else things do get difficult

I lived off-campus. I found my roommates through college whatsapp groups and eventually found my place through online housing portals on Zillow. My rent was about 1500 a month and I stayed about 10 minutes walking distance from campus. I did not have much difficulty finding it. Columbia does offer their own housing but that is through a lottery system and there is no guarantee about their timelines and surety of securing a place. I would recommend everyone finalize their housing before travelling, or else things do get difficult

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 4/10

extracurricular: 10/10

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Anushka Agarwal

Columbia University( Enrolled 2024 )MS Computer ScienceMay 27, 2025

9.3 /10

My Masters in Columbia University

Likes

Good amount of electives and courses offered.
Very learned and experienced Professors.
Lot of cultural and social activities to engage students.

Dislikes

The coursework becomes hectic with 4 subjects per semester.
The tuition fee and cost of living in New York are a bit more expensive than any other college.
Very competitive group of students.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I live on Off-campus housing. I found my housing through an app called StreetEasy.
My house is fully furnished and has a monthly rent of $1600.
New York requires guarantor services to secure housing which was tough and costly to get.
My accommodation is 4 mins walk from the campus building.
Most students live around the campus area, Morningside Heights only, as it is closer and within walkable distance to campus.

I live on Off-campus housing. I found my housing through an app called StreetEasy.
My house is fully furnished and has a monthly rent of $1600.
New York requires guarantor services to secure housing which was tough and costly to get.
My accommodation is 4 mins walk from the campus building.
Most students live around the campus area, Morningside Heights only, as it is closer and within walkable distance to campus.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 10/10

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Saivignesh Venkatraman

Columbia University( Enrolled 2024 )TOEFL Score : 116MS Electrical EngineeringMay 19, 2025

6.2 /10

Review of Columbia University

Likes

Courses - suited my expectations
Research opportunities - easy to interact with professors and research groups
Student life - plenty of opportunities, New York is a great place

Dislikes

It is a very flexible program, so it feels like there is a lack of direction at times.
There were definitely some issues with the variety in courses experienced in the Spring semester.
There are a few disruptions due to the ongoing situation.

Accommodation

Off Campus

There are online platforms like Zillow that we used to find suitable units. We had to go through an agent, had to pay a deposit and agency fee and had to have a guarantor. A recommendation would be to join the whatsapp communities as early as possible.
Most people would be looking for people to room with, and the process would go a lot smoother with other people to help you out.

Monthly Expenses: USD$ 1,200

There are online platforms like Zillow that we used to find suitable units. We had to go through an agent, had to pay a deposit and agency fee and had to have a guarantor. A recommendation would be to join the whatsapp communities as early as possible.
Most people would be looking for people to room with, and the process would go a lot smoother with other people to help you out.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 5/10

placement: 6/10

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Krishna

Columbia University( Enrolled 2024 )IELTS Score : 8Technology ManagementMarch 1, 2025

4.2 /10

Welcome to Columbia

Likes

Campus, Location, Professors, Connections.
I love how everyone here is very smart and great to network with.
The diverse experience I think is the best part.

Dislikes

The protests that are happening, are a pain.
I don't like the fees of course its too much and very less scholarship options.
Better transport service go campus, right now its pretty bad.

Accommodation

Off Campus

Search online platforms, Street Easy, Zillion, talk to brokers; I would say go for college housing. It sounds expensive at first but with utilities, its the same as leaving campus. Trying to find an apartment without visiting it can be very difficult. Be aware of scammers; search the realtors; try finding one near campus so you can use the campus shuttle to travel.

Monthly Expenses: USD$ 2,000

Search online platforms, Street Easy, Zillion, talk to brokers; I would say go for college housing. It sounds expensive at first but with utilities, its the same as leaving campus. Trying to find an apartment without visiting it can be very difficult. Be aware of scammers; search the realtors; try finding one near campus so you can use the campus shuttle to travel.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 6/10

infrastructure: 3/10

accomodation: 6/10

placement: 2/10

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Umang Prabhakar

Columbia University( Enrolled 2022 )MPASeptember 21, 2024

4.0 /10

Life at Columbia University

Likes

Location in NYC and proximity to some of the greatest landmarks and places in the world.
Professors both tenured and adjunct professors, all of who are distinguished and have excellent track records of academic publication and actual practice.
Institutional networks with top policy and finance organizations.

Dislikes

Recent handling of student protests and overall administration response to student issues.
Extremely expensive due to its location.
Some of the infrastructure in the School of International Affairs is quite dated compared to the business school

Accommodation

Off Campus

I found my own private accommodation through streeteasy.com. Monthly rent is 2500 USD not including utilities. Utilities are another 200 dollars including internet and electricity. Hot water is included in the rent.
Students should go for University student housing as it's much cheaper and comes with furnished. I stayed a 15 minute subway (train) ride away from the Columbia University campus, in a private rented apartment by myself. Most Indian students live in college housing that is located walking distance from campus, with roommates.

I found my own private accommodation through streeteasy.com. Monthly rent is 2500 USD not including utilities. Utilities are another 200 dollars including internet and electricity. Hot water is included in the rent.
Students should go for University student housing as it's much cheaper and comes with furnished. I stayed a 15 minute subway (train) ride away from the Columbia University campus, in a private rented apartment by myself. Most Indian students live in college housing that is located walking distance from campus, with roommates.

academic: 4/10

faculty: 4/10

infrastructure: 4/10

accomodation: 4/10

placement: 4/10

extracurricular: 4/10

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Stevens Jonathan

Columbia University( Enrolled 2022 )MS Computer ScienceSeptember 7, 2024

6.8 /10

"where Ambition Meets Opportunity: A Review of Columbia University".

Likes

Academic rigor and diversity of courses, like joining clubs and organizations (e.g.,debate team, literary magazines
I like the fact that there's world-class faculty and research opportunities in my school
Exploring the nearby American Museum of natural history

Dislikes

What I disliked is the high tuition fees and living costs in school
There is limited availability of housing, especially for upperclassmen
Distance from family and friends (for out of state/international students)

Accommodation

Off Campus

Ok, campus housing, residence halls, suite-style housing, and apartment-style living. Also campus housing, dormitories, suite-style housing and apartment-style housing. When shortlisting off-campus accomodations one must consider locations, cost, space and layout and amenities. Meal plan options and food-related expenses on campus average $800-$1200 per month for students living off campus and grocery stores nearby.

The admission process is based on the application submission first, students submit their application through the common app or coalition app, typically by the January 1st deadline for regular decision. I prepared for the admission, maintaining a high GPA, especially in challenging courses like AP or IB and taking the SAT or ACT. Consultants are Crimson Education.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 9/10

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Jahnavi Polumahanti

Columbia University( Enrolled 2023 )M.Ed Philosophy and EducationApril 1, 2024

6.2 /10

The IVY league experience

Accommodation

Off Campus

I didn’t get on campus accommodation but that’s pretty good otherwise looking for houses is difficult. Average rent is $1400 per person.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 5/10

placement: 7/10

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Vaishnavi Kannur

Columbia University( Enrolled 2020 )MS Management Science and EngineeringOctober 11, 2023

6.5 /10

Columbia University - A Good Choice

Likes

I accepted it for the reputation, career opportunities, location and courses.
It has a great reputation and is located in New York City, with close access to large corporations and an extensive network. The courses offered at the Business School is really informative and interactive. The people are really helpful.

Dislikes

Columbia is smaller than the other ivy league institutions in the US. The classes at the engineering school are heavily quantitative, and I found it less useful compared to the more business school classes, due to my focus on pursuing a consulting career.

Accommodation

Off Campus

We were allowed to choose our own accommodations. It ranges anywhere between $1K to $1.5K on average, to live close to campus.

Overall, Columbia University was a fantastic experience. Its located in a vibrant city, with opportunities to stick to a campus life, and still enjoy everything NYC has to offer. The students are helpful and collaborative. The professors are incredibly well experienced with several accolades. All in all, had a great learning experience.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 6/10

placement: 8/10

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Vrinda Bhat

Columbia University( Enrolled 2021 )MS Data ScienceJune 14, 2023

7.5 /10

Review on NYC - Campus and City Life

Likes

MS Data Science program is a well know program by Columbia University with renowned and distinguished Professors.
The courses, both academic and professional developmental helped me learn more about myself - my strengths and weaknesses and how to build a work oriented lifestyle which would help me in the long-run.
The college campus is ecstatic, and the libraries provide a beneficial space to study with a clear mind and focus. I like the way events are organized and students are encouraged to pursue their goals.

Dislikes

I do not like the location of the university as it in not in the middle of a happening area. Although it stretches various streets in New York City, it is not an eventful place. This is the only aspect which I do not like.