Applications to Columbia Business School’s MBA program have fallen significantly for the third year in a row. After years of growth due to the pandemic, app volume to CBS MBA is now at 2019 levels.
With 5,895 apps, down 4.6% year-over-year, Columbia’s total is the lowest in four years and only 19 more apps than the B-school received for MBA classes admitted in August and January of 2019-2020. There were just too many books. At Columbia University (like nearly every B-school around the world), the number of apps has declined by more than 15% since enrollment soared during the 2020-2021 all-virtual period.
But the news for Colombia is not all doom and gloom. In response to the drop in applicants, CBS admitted a much larger class this year. This allowed the school to match its record for female enrollment a year ago and set a new benchmark for minority enrollment.
Columbia Business School by the numbers: 2019-2023
Columbia Business School | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
application | 5,895 | 6,177 | 6,535 | 6,971 | 5,876 |
admit | N.A. | 1,363 | 1,215 | 1,130 | 1,122 |
Pass rate | N.A. | 22.1% | 18.6% | 16.2% | 19.1% |
class size | 900 | 844 | 847 | 782 | 754 |
GMAT average | 730 | 729 | 729 | 726 | 727 |
GPA average | 3.5 | 3.60 | 3.50 | 3.60 | 3.60 |
woman | 44% | 44% | 41% | 40% | 38% |
International | 47% | 51% | 48% | 44% | 47% |
minority | 43% | 42% | 40% | 33% | N.A. |
This year, a person entered Colombia with a 610 GMAT
Even with the decline in apps, class sizes at Columbia University remained fairly stable until this year. Unlike other peer schools, admissions take place twice a year at CBS, in August and in January. The former number has gradually increased over the past four years, from 551 in 2019 to 571 in 2020, 614 in 2021, 629 in 2022, and has ballooned to 681 this year. . The latter had also been on the rise for three consecutive years: 203 people in 2020, 211 people in 2021, and 233 people in 2022, but the upper limit was set at 215 people in January 2023. In January 2024, the number will increase again to 219 people.
The result is the largest MBA class in Columbia history. The number of students is 900, an increase of 6.6% from a year ago and nearly 20% from 2019. Such a large class certainly helped Columbia University achieve its diversity goals, including admitting women. 44% of the class matched last year’s school record. The minority, accounting for 43%, established new policies. CBS’ female enrollment is up 6 percent from 2019, and minority enrollment is up 10 points from 2020. A quarter of the new class is Asian American, with Black students making up 10% and Hispanic/Latino students making up 9%. International enrollment, a longtime strength of the school based in the heart of the world’s capital, New York City, was 47%, down slightly from last year’s high of 51%, but still It is one of the top B-schools in the world.
Thanks to the large class size, Columbia University achieved a new record average score on the Graduate Management Admissions Examination of 730 points, an increase of one point over the previous two years. Interestingly, the range of GMAT scores indicates that someone gained admission with a score of 610, which is about the 50th percentile of all test takers, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council.
Columbia MBA Minority Admissions
No major changes in major or professional background
In 2021, the largest group of students at Columbia University came from the financial services sector, accounting for 31% of admitted students. Not surprising since Columbia University is located in the middle of Wall Street. People with consulting backgrounds made up 22% of her in this class, and people with marketing and media backgrounds made up a further 12%. Students in the technology industry made up 9% of her class, and students with medical-related backgrounds made up 5% of her class. Last year, finance fell to 29%, while consulting, marketing/media, technology, and healthcare were all flat at 22%, 12%, 9%, and 5%, respectively.
This year, financial services was flat at 29%, consulting was down 1 point at 21%, marketing/media was flat at 12%, and technology was up 2 points at 11%. Medical was flat at 5% and so was the military/government.
Among undergraduate majors in 2021, business was the overwhelming leader at 37%, followed by economics (18%), engineering (15%), social sciences (13%), science (7%), and humanities. science (6%), and technology (2%). Last year, business decreased slightly to his third of the class (33%), while economics increased to 20% and engineering to 16%.
This year, business has rebounded to 35%, economics is unchanged at 20%, and engineering has risen to 17%. Social sciences accounted for 11% of new classes, followed by sciences (8%), humanities (6%) and technology (2%).
“At Columbia Business School, we have been developing leaders for more than a century,” said Claire Norton, senior associate dean. poet and poetry. “What makes us unique? We combine management fundamentals with data science and real-time business intelligence to create unparalleled solutions in areas such as digital futures, entrepreneurship, finance and climate. Our cutting-edge curriculum continues to evolve with the industry, ensuring you master both core concepts and specialized knowledge. Our professors are top-notch; We bring research-based insights and real-world experience to the classroom. What’s more, we’re at the heart of global business, with a global alumni network of more than 50,000 people changing the world.
“So if you want a business school that is ahead of the curve and focused on your success, Columbia Business School is the place for you.”
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