Columbia MBA Class Profile: Diversity Abounds in the Class of 2024
Columbia Business School‘s MBA Class of 2024 welcomed 844 students, with 629 starting in August and 215 beginning in January. Diversity abounds as percentage of women rose to 44 percent and international students make up 51 percent of the class. U.S. minority representation also increased over last year, to 42 percent.
According to this year’s class profile, CBS received 6,177 applications this past admissions season, compared to 6,535 for the Class of 2023. The school admitted 1,363 this year compared to admitting 1,215 applicants last year. The overall class size remained virtually the same–844 this year vs. 847 total for the Class of 2023. While 629 students began their CBS MBA in August this year, 614 started last August; 215 candidates signed up for the Class of 2024 J-Term while 233 had started in January last year.
While the Class of 2024 may have different start times, their stats are reported as a whole. Here are some key elements of the CBS MBA Class of 2024 profile:
| Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.6 |
| Percent majoring in business | 33% |
| Percent majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math | 26% |
| Percent majoring in economics | 20% |
| Percent majoring in social sciences or humanities | 18% |
| Average GMAT Score | 729 |
| GMAT Score Range | 550 – 780 |
| GMAT Score Middle 80% | 700 – 760 |
| Women | 44% |
| International Students | 51% |
| Average Work Experience | 5 years |
International Students, Women, and US Minority Representation
Women make up 44 percent of the CBS MBA Class of 2024, a three percent increase over last year. International students cross the halfway mark, comprising 51 percent of students. U.S. minority representation increased another two percent over last year to 42 percent of the latest class.
CBS reports minority representation using both federal guidelines and multi-dimensional reporting guidelines. Under federal guidelines, students who identify, for example, as Hispanic and any other race are represented as Hispanic only, and students who identify as more than one race are represented as multi-race only. Under the federal reporting guidelines, Black/African American students make up 11 percent of the class, Hispanic students 11 percent, Asian Americans 17 percent, and multiracial students five percent.
Professional and Academic Background
A third of students pursued a degree in business before joining the MBA program. A fifth had studied economics followed by 16 percent earning degrees in engineering. Twelve percent had majored in social sciences and eight percent in sciences. Six percent earned undergraduate degrees in the humanities.
The average undergraduate GPA landed at 3.6. The average GMAT score held steady at 729.
Students in the class have an average of five years of professional experience. The industry distribution is largely unchanged from the previous year, with 29 percent working in the financial services industry, 22 percent from a consulting background, and 11 percent coming from marketing or media. Another nine percent had worked in the tech industry, and five percent each joined CBS from healthcare, military/government, or real estate.
About the Author
Lauren Wakal
Lauren Wakal has been covering the MBA admissions space for more than a decade, from in-depth business school profiles to weekly breaking news and more.
Featured Schools
Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies
| Class Size | 75 |
| % Women | 43% |
| % International or Dual Citizens | 64% |
