41 Interesting Facts about Columbia University

Dan March 12, 2023

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in New York City, New York. It was founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of King George II of England, and it is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. Today, Columbia is known for its world-class academic programs, distinguished faculty, and research excellence.

Columbia is home to 16 schools and colleges, including the Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of International and Public Affairs. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, law, journalism, arts, sciences, and engineering.

Columbia is also known for its research excellence, with over $1 billion in sponsored research funding annually. The university is home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Earth Institute, the Columbia Genome Center, and the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information. Columbia researchers have made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, from the arts and humanities to science, engineering, and medicine.

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia offers students a truly unique and exciting educational experience. The university is situated in the vibrant Morningside Heights neighborhood, which is home to a variety of cultural institutions, restaurants, and shops. Students at Columbia also have access to a wide range of internship, networking, and research opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Columbia University

Do you want to know more about Columbia University? Surely, it’s a good idea to look at these 41 interesting facts about Columbia University to give us more knowledge about this university.

1. Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King’s College and was renamed Columbia College in 1784.
2. The university is named after Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who discovered the Americas.
3. Columbia is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States.
4. The university is a member of the Ivy League, a group of eight prestigious universities in the northeastern United States.
5. Columbia has produced more Nobel laureates than any other institution in the world.
6. The university has a diverse student body, with students from over 150 countries.
7. Columbia has a strong commitment to social justice, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on promoting equity and inclusion.
8. The university’s campus covers over 36 acres in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.
9. The Columbia Lions are the university’s athletic teams, and they compete in the Ivy League.
10. Columbia has a long history of activism and social change, with notable alumni such as Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Langston Hughes.
11. The university’s School of Journalism is one of the most prestigious journalism programs in the world.
12. Columbia is home to the Pulitzer Prize, which was established by Joseph Pulitzer, a Columbia alumnus and former publisher of the New York World.
13. The university’s undergraduate college, Columbia College, is one of the oldest and most selective liberal arts colleges in the country.
14. Columbia is home to the Columbia Business School, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world.
15. The university’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of graduate programs in fields such as history, philosophy, and psychology.
16. Columbia has a strong commitment to sustainability, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on reducing energy consumption and waste.
17. The university’s campus features a number of notable landmarks, such as the Low Memorial Library and the Butler Library.
18. Columbia has a long tradition of public service, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on community outreach and service.
19. The university has a strong commitment to the arts, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on promoting creativity and innovation.
20. Columbia has a number of world-renowned research centers and institutes, such as the Earth Institute, the Institute for Research in African-American Studies, and the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy.
21. The university’s Graduate School of Journalism is home to the Columbia Journalism Review, one of the most respected journalism publications in the world.
22. Columbia has a strong commitment to international education, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on promoting global awareness and understanding.
23. The university’s Teachers College is one of the leading education schools in the world.
24. Columbia has a long history of academic excellence, with notable alumni such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Isaac Asimov, and Warren Buffett.
25. The university’s Mailman School of Public Health is one of the top public health schools in the United States.
26. Columbia has a strong commitment to diversity, with a number of programs and initiatives focused on promoting inclusion and understanding.
27. The university’s School of the Arts is one of the leading arts schools in the country, with notable alumni such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Thomas Pynchon.
28. Columbia has a long tradition of innovation, with a number of groundbreaking discoveries and inventions coming out of the university’s research labs.
29. The university’s campus features a number of green spaces and parks, such as the Riverside Park and the Morningside Park.
30. Columbia University has a long history of activism and protest. The university was a center for student activism during the 1960s and 1970s, with protests against the Vietnam War, racial discrimination, and the university’s involvement in research for the military. The university also saw protests in the 1980s and 1990s against apartheid in South Africa and university policies regarding divestment from companies doing business with the South African government.
31. Columbia University’s campus is home to numerous notable landmarks, including Low Library, which was the university’s first building and now serves as the administrative center; St. Paul’s Chapel, which is the oldest building on campus and served as a relief center after the 9/11 attacks; and Butler Library, which is the largest library on campus.
32. Columbia University is home to the Pulitzer Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, literature, and music. The prize was established by Columbia University in 1917, and winners are announced each year at the university.
33. Columbia University has produced numerous Nobel laureates, including 101 Nobel Prize winners in various fields, making it one of the most successful universities in the world in terms of Nobel laureates.
34. Columbia University has a long history of innovation and discovery, with numerous important scientific discoveries and inventions having been made by faculty and students at the university. These include the first successful heart transplant, the discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance, the development of the FM radio, and the first artificial kidney.
35. Columbia University is home to numerous world-renowned research centers and institutes, including the Earth Institute, the Columbia University Medical Center, and the Institute for Research in African-American Studies. These research centers conduct cutting-edge research in a wide range of fields, from public health to environmental science to social justice.
36. Columbia University has a diverse student body, with students coming from all 50 states and more than 150 countries. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, and has a number of programs and initiatives aimed at fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for all students.
37. Columbia University is also committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, with numerous sustainability initiatives in place on campus. These include LEED-certified buildings, a bike share program, and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2020.
38. Columbia University has a strong tradition of athletics, with 31 varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division I level. The university is a member of the Ivy League, and its athletic teams are known as the Lions.
39. The iconic “Columbia blue” color used by the university was chosen in 1896 by then-president Seth Low, who wanted a distinctive color for the university’s athletic teams.
40. Columbia University’s film studies program is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, and has produced numerous notable filmmakers and scholars.
41. Columbia University has a strong commitment to public service, and many of its graduates go on to work in the non-profit, government, and social justice sectors. The university has a number of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting public service and social responsibility among its students.

Columbia University is a world-renowned institution that has been shaping the minds of some of the brightest and most accomplished individuals for over 250 years. With its prestigious faculty, top-ranked programs, and prime location in New York City, Columbia offers students a unique and unparalleled educational experience. From its rich history to its innovative research, Columbia University continues to lead the way in academic excellence and is a truly exceptional place to learn, grow, and succeed.