Columbia Business School
Why CBS?
At Columbia Business School, the city is your classroom. Being in the heart of New York means immediate access to the industries, leaders, and energy that define global business. CBS doesn't just offer proximity — it builds the city into the fabric of its education. Students step out of lectures and into boardrooms, coffee chats become networking opportunities, and the fast pace of the city mirrors the culture of the school.
CBS attracts students who thrive in dynamic environments and who see their MBA as a launching pad into the real world, not a pause from it. The school values resilience, intellectual agility, and an eagerness to engage with complexity. If you want to test yourself in the most competitive market in the world — and build a community while you do it — Columbia gives you a front-row seat.
🎓 MBA Class Profile (Class of 2026)
Key Demographics
- Enrolled Students: 972
- Acceptance Rate: 20.9%
- Yield Rate: 51.0%
- Women: 44%
- International Students: 46%
Academic Profile
- Average GMAT Score: 732
- GRE Verbal: 162
- GRE Quant: 162
- Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.6
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
💼 Employment Statistics (Class of 2024)
Job Placement
- Median Base Salary: $175,000
- Median Signing Bonus: $30,000
- Received Offers (within 3 months): 89%
*Not all offers included a signing bonus
Top Industries
- Financial Services: 36%
- Consulting: 31%
- Technology: 10%
- CPG / Retail: 5%
- Healthcare: 4%
🎤 Interview Tips
Unique Interview Feature:
CBS interviews are typically conducted by alumni and tend to be more conversational. They often emphasize fit with New York City and awareness of the school's distinct identity within the MBA landscape. Interviewers expect candidates to demonstrate how they will take full advantage of the location, network, and fast-paced curriculum.
| Common Questions Unique to CBS | Prep Tips |
|---|---|
| "Why do you want to be in New York City for business school?" | Avoid generic responses. Connect your goals to the unique access New York offers across industries, and explain how you plan to engage with the city. Highlight the ways the setting aligns with your personal and professional ambitions. |
| "How will you make the most of CBS's J-Term or traditional August entry?" | Understand the structure of each intake. If applying to the J-Term, explain why you do not need a summer internship and how the accelerated timeline fits your goals. If you are targeting the August intake, discuss the value of the internship and how it complements your recruiting plans or leadership development. |
| "What CBS courses, professors, or centers are you most excited about, and why?" | Be specific and personal. Mention offerings like the Entrepreneurial Greenhouse or the Value Investing Program only if they are genuinely relevant to your goals. Clearly explain how these resources will help you grow and why they are meaningful to your journey. |
Note: For a full list of potential interview questions, check our MBA interview guide.
📅 Application Deadlines
| Round | Application Deadline | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | October 5, 2024 | December 14, 2024 |
| Merit Fellowship | January 5, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
| Regular Decision | April 9, 2025 | May 25, 2025 |
Note: All deadlines are at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Columbia conducts interviews by invitation only after reviewing applications.