Columbia is the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, founded 22 years before the founding fathers (including Columbia alum Alexander Hamilton) signed the Constitution. The Columbia Alumni Association, in contrast, is the youngest among the Ivies, having celebrated its first decade in 2015.
This duality brings together something that is uniquely and utterly Columbian in nature—a sense of tradition, gravitas, and history paired with an innovative and contemporary spirit.
Take a look at today's Columbia alumni community by the numbers:
Did you know?
- Over 12% of Columbia's alumni hold two or more degrees from the University.
- Columbia College—the University's oldest school (founded in 1754 as King's College) has the most alumni; the University's newest school, the School of Professional Studies, has the fewest.
- Over a third of alumni continue to call New York City (and nearby) home, even after graduation.
- Sixteen Columbians have served as mayor of New York City.
- Today, Columbia alumni are mayors of the two largest American cities: New York (Bill de Blasio '87SIPA) and Los Angeles (Eric Garcetti '92CC, '93SIPA).
- Twenty-five alumni live in Bermuda, an island that is just 21 square miles (that's more than one Columbian per mile!).
- There are Columbia alumni on six continents—and if you count researchers in Antarctica, all seven continents.
- There are over 100 alumni clubs in 57 countries, which you can find and join at alumni.columbia.edu/clubs.
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