Columbia Business School MBA: 2026-2027 deadlines and requirements
Key facts
| Program | Full-Time MBA (August entry, 20 months with a summer internship; January entry, 16 months without one) |
|---|---|
| City | New York, New York |
| Rank | #7 (tie) in U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools |
| Class size | 982 students in the MBA class entering in 2025 (224 January entry, 758 August entry). Newer class numbers are not on the school's profile page. |
| GMAT score | Average 690 on the GMAT Focus for the class entering in 2025 (range 615 to 805). |
| GRE | Average 163 on Verbal and 163 on Quant for the class entering in 2025 (range 130 to 170 on each). |
| Tests it takes | Takes the GMAT (10th Edition or Focus Edition), the Executive Assessment, or the GRE. All applicants submit a valid score. The page does not mention test waivers. |
| Application fee | $250, nonrefundable, paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) in the online application. Fee waivers go to full-time students, active duty U.S. military members, eligible displaced persons, and current Peace Corps or Teach For All members. Proof of current service is required. |
| Tuition | $93,908 tuition for the 2026-2027 August entry year, plus $6,783 in mandatory fees. The first-year budget totals $143,030, including health insurance, books, food and housing, personal expenses, and transportation. Tuition and fees usually rise 2 to 7 percent in the second year. |
| English test | No language test is required. International applicants do not submit a TOEFL. Your GRE or GMAT verbal score is enough, and the interview is in English. |
Application rounds
| Round | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| August 2027 entry, Round 1 | September 9, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | December 14, 2026 (interview decisions by November 2, 2026) |
| August 2027 entry, Round 2 | January 5, 2027, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | March 24, 2027 (interview decisions by February 17, 2027) |
| August 2027 entry, Round 3 | March 29, 2027, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | May 12, 2027 (interview decisions by April 30, 2027) |
| January 2027 entry, Round 1 (closed) | June 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | Sent as applications are reviewed, final decisions no later than July 31, 2026 |
| January 2027 entry, Round 2 (closed) | August 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | Sent as applications are reviewed, final decisions no later than October 1, 2026 |
| January 2027 entry, Round 2 Extended (closed) | September 1, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Eastern | Sent as applications are reviewed; the school does not print a final date |
Essays
- 50 characters. Short answer 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal?
- 50 characters. Short answer 2 (August entry): How do you plan to spend the summer after the first year of the MBA? If in an internship, please include target industry (industries) and/or function (functions). If you plan to work on your own venture, please indicate a focus of business.
- 50 characters. Short answer 2 (January entry): Why do you prefer the January-entry term?
- 500 words. Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job?
- 250 words. Essay 2: Please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative, more inclusive or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization.
- 250 words. Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific.
- Optional, 500 words maximum. Optional essay: If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. Bullet points are fine.
Recommendations
One letter of recommendation for first-time applicants. It should ideally come from your current supervisor if you have worked full-time for at least six months. Recommenders answer two questions: how the candidate compares to other well-qualified people in similar roles, and the most important constructive feedback they have given. The recommender uploads it on letterhead. You may not write it yourself.
Interview
By invitation only. You cannot request one. The admissions office contacts you if you are selected. Interviews are held virtually with a current student, an alum, or an admissions team member.
Other parts of the application
Official transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate school (scanned PDFs during the application, encrypted copies if admitted), your GPA as it appears on the transcript, a resume or CV (ideally one page), and your work history.
Links
Sources
- Columbia Business School: Full-Time MBA Admissions, read November 1, 2026
- Columbia Business School: MBA Options and Deadlines, read November 1, 2026
- Columbia Business School: MBA Application Requirements, read November 1, 2026
- Columbia Business School: MBA Class Profile, read November 1, 2026
- Columbia Business School: MBA Admissions FAQ, read November 1, 2026
- Columbia Business School Office of Financial Aid: Full-Time MBA Costs, read November 1, 2026
- Campus photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
