US · Bachelor's
Columbia University
BA Political Science
Columbia University
Course Overview
Columbia's BA in Political Science is one of the Ivy League's most influential undergraduate degrees in the discipline — the department is ranked top 5 globally for Politics (QS 2025) and houses the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) faculty as undergraduate instructors. The four-year programme combines Columbia's signature Core Curriculum (Contemporary Civilization, Literature Humanities, Frontiers of Science) with deep concentration in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.
Sri Lankan applicants are admitted as Columbia College students (the undergraduate liberal arts college) — the Earth Institute, the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, and the South Asia Institute give research-active undergraduates access to faculty like Jeffrey Sachs, Joseph Stiglitz, and Sheri Berman. Columbia is also home to one of the strongest journalism, law, and international affairs feeder pipelines in the US (Columbia Journalism School, Columbia Law, SIPA — all Top 5).
For Sri Lankan applicants this is a stretch admit — Columbia's international undergraduate acceptance rate is sub-3%. Successful applicants have 3+ AP 5s or A/L A grades, strong SAT/ACT (1500+ / 34+), demonstrated political engagement (debate, MUN, journalism, civic work), and unusually strong recommendation letters.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan A/Ls: 3 A grades — strong preference for at least one humanities or social science subject. Cambridge International / Edexcel A-Levels at AAA also accepted.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 38+ points with 7,6,6 at Higher Level (HL History, Economics, or English Literature preferred).
- check_circle SAT: 1500+ (or ACT 34+) recommended for competitive admission, though Columbia is currently test-optional through 2026 admissions.
- check_circle Common Application + Columbia-specific supplemental essays (5 short essays + lists), two teacher recommendations, school counsellor letter.
- check_circle Demonstrated extracurricular leadership — debate, Model UN, civic engagement, journalism are common signal-bearers for Political Science admits.
English Proficiency
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 105 Overall recommended (no formal minimum).
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.5 Overall recommended.
- check_circle Duolingo English Test: 130 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English for the last 4 years (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel / Cambridge International streams qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount ($) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, 2026) | $71,000 | Rs. 22,720,000 |
| Room & Board (per year) | $17,500 | Rs. 5,600,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, NYC) | $10,000 | Rs. 3,200,000 |
| F-1 Visa, SEVIS & Travel | $1,500 | Rs. 480,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | $100,000 | Rs. 32,000,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Columbia BA Political Science graduates qualify for 12 months of F-1 OPT (Political Science is not STEM-designated, so no 24-month extension). Top first-job destinations: McKinsey, BCG, Bain (consulting); Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley (finance); Big Law summer associate pipelines via T14 law school; Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings, RAND; plus the US Foreign Service, Peace Corps, and Ivy League PhDs. Median NYC starting salary $75,000–$90,000.
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