What is the acceptance rate for Columbia MSBA?

Question

Mohit C · Accepted Answer

Getting into Columbia&rsquo;s MSBA can feel tougher than it looks because the program keeps the student group small.
&bull; Most estimates put the acceptance rate at about 10&ndash;15%. &bull; The incoming class is usually under 100 students, so competition is high. &bull; Degrees in STEM or economics, GPA above 3.5, and work or internship experience in data analytics, risk modeling, or market research help. &bull; GRE scores of 325+ or GMAT 700+ (especially strong Quant scores) make a difference. &bull; Many admits have hands-on experience with tools like Python, R, SQL, or Power BI, either from internships or independent projects. &bull; Example: One recent admit had a computer science degree, GRE 329 (170 Quant), a Kaggle project in predictive modeling, and a summer internship at a fintech firm &mdash; this combination stood out. &bull; Clear motivation for choosing Columbia over other MSBA programs improves chances.
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S Raghav · Answer

The acceptance rate for Columbia&rsquo;s MSBA program is estimated to be around 10&ndash;15%, making it one of the more selective analytics programs in the US. Columbia doesn&rsquo;t publish an official number, but recent applicant reports and class size data suggest roughly 80&ndash;100 students admitted from several hundred applications each year.
Applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds, GRE scores of 325+ or GMAT scores above 700, and internships in areas like data analytics, business intelligence, or product strategy have a better chance. Academic work that includes advanced statistics, econometrics, or machine learning projects is valued, especially if it&rsquo;s linked to real-world data. Certifications in Python, SQL, or Tableau also help. Since Columbia&rsquo;s program attracts both fresh graduates and experienced professionals, showing clear career goals and how the MSBA fits into them is important for standing out.

Jayant M · Answer

The acceptance rate for Columbia MSBA is estimated to be around 9&ndash;12%, making it one of the more selective business analytics programs in the U.S. While Columbia doesn&rsquo;t officially publish exact figures, admitted student reports and consultancy data suggest the program receives several thousand applications for a relatively small class size of under 100 students.
What makes the Columbia MSBA competitive is the mix of strong academics and professional experience. Applicants with 320+ GRE or 650&ndash;700 GMAT, plus solid internships or analytics work, tend to have better chances. For international students, a strong test score and clear career goals can help offset the competition. In short, Columbia MSBA&rsquo;s acceptance rate is low, and profiles need to stand out not just in scores but also in essays and recommendations.

V Ritik · Answer

Most people don&rsquo;t realize how tough Columbia MSBA is to get into compared to MBA programs. The estimated acceptance rate hovers near 10%, which is lower than many other business analytics master&rsquo;s programs in the U.S.
&bull; The small intake size means the program looks for candidates with a clear fit&mdash;quantitative strength, relevant internships, and well-defined career goals. &bull; Even though Columbia allows test waivers, applicants with strong GRE/GMAT scores are more competitive. &bull; International applicants often face stiffer competition since Columbia receives a large volume from India and China. &bull; Beyond scores, strong recommendations and a compelling story about why Columbia specifically can make a big difference.
So while the acceptance rate is tight, the best strategy is to showcase both technical ability and how Columbia&rsquo;s New York location aligns with future goals.