Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning, founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of King George II of England. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the United States. The university has produced three U.S. presidents, twelve Supreme Court justices, and scores of Nobel laureates.
Located on a campus in Upper Manhattan spanning over 30 acres (12 ha), Columbia University comprises twenty schools and academic departments including Columbia College (the university’s undergraduate college), the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of General Studies for non-traditional students, thirteen graduate schools—including Teachers College, Barnard College for women undergraduates—and numerous research centers and institutes.
In 2017–18, there were 8079 students enrolled at Columbia: 6279 undergraduates (78% from outside New York state) and 1800 graduate students (70% from outside New York state). The university also enrolls about 2000 international students from more than 100 countries each year. Minority groups make up about 40% percent of total enrollment. More than 250 student organizations are active on campus; these include cultural groups representing almost every nationality represented among the student body as well as special interest clubs covering topics such as politics, religion, gender issues, LGBT rights, environmentalism and sustainability.