Columbia Business School Programs: Full-time MBA, Deferred Enrollment, Executive MBA, MS, JD/MBA, PhD
Columbia Business School degree programs: full-time MBA (August and January entry), the Deferred Enrollment Program, Executive MBA, MS in Financial Economics, Three-Year JD/MBA, and PhD, compared by duration, format, and tuition.
Programs overview
The full-time MBA has two entry terms. August entry comprises four terms with a summer internship between the second and third terms; 758 students entered in August 2025. January entry is a 16-month program over four consecutive terms with no formal summer internship; 224 students entered in January 2025. The two entry terms merge in the fall of the second year and graduate as a single class. First-year tuition for 2026-27 is $93,908. The Deferred Enrollment Program is an early-career path for final-year college students and graduate students who went straight from undergrad: admits work two to five years, then enter the August or January MBA. Its 2025 cohort drew 806 applications and 125 committed students. EMBA-NY meets about every other Friday and Saturday for five terms over 20 months, starting with orientation in August. EMBA-Global is a separate program developed with London Business School, with monthly classes alternating between London and New York. The MS in Financial Economics requires four semesters of full-time study. The Three-Year JD/MBA awards degrees from Columbia Business School and Columbia Law School in three years. PhD programs cover Accounting, Business Economics, Decision, Risk, and Operations, Finance, Management, and Marketing. Columbia Business School also offers a Professional MBA, the MBAxMS dual degree with Columbia Engineering, and MS programs in Accounting & Fundamental Analysis and in Marketing Science.
Program comparison
| Program | Type | Duration | Format | Tuition | Class size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time MBA (August entry) | Full-time MBA | Four terms with summer internship | On campus | $93,908 (2026-27 first year) | 758 (entering August 2025) |
| Full-time MBA (January entry) | Full-time MBA | 16 months | On campus | $93,908 (2026-27 first year) | 224 (entering January 2025) |
| Deferred Enrollment Program | Early-career program | 2 to 5 years of work, then the 20- or 16-month MBA | On campus | $93,908 (2026-27 first year) | 125 committed (2025 cohort) |
| Executive MBA (EMBA-NY) | Executive MBA | 20 months (five terms) | Alternate Fridays and Saturdays | See program page | - |
| MS in Financial Economics (MSFE) | Specialized master's | Four semesters | On campus, full time | See program page | - |
| Three-Year JD/MBA | Joint degree | 3 years | On campus | See program page | - |
| PhD Program | PhD | See program page | On campus | See program page | - |
Program details
- Full-time MBA (August entry): four terms; summer internship between the second and third terms; orientation in the second half of August and classes from September. About 70 percent of full-time MBA students begin in the fall term.
- Full-time MBA (January entry): 16 months over four consecutive terms; core courses finish over the summer; no formal summer internship. About 30 percent of students enter in January.
- Deferred Enrollment Program: for students graduating from a bachelor’s program between September 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027, or completing a graduate degree started directly after undergrad. Admits defer two to five years and choose August or January entry. Deadline April 15, 2027; decisions late June 2027; no application fee for current students; $500 deposit by August 2, 2027, then $500 each deferral year. Columbia does not publish an admit count or acceptance rate.
- Executive MBA (EMBA-NY): five terms over 20 months, meeting about every other Friday and Saturday; two five-day residencies; employer sponsorship of time required. GMAT, Executive Assessment, or GRE required, with a test waiver option.
- MS in Financial Economics (MSFE): four semesters (fall and spring) of full-time study; STEM eligible; GMAT or GRE required.
- Three-Year JD/MBA: degrees from Columbia Business School and Columbia Law School in three years.
- PhD Program: doctoral programs in Accounting, Business Economics, Decision, Risk, and Operations, Finance, Management, and Marketing.
Sources
- 1. Columbia Business School, MBA Options and Deadlines
- 2. Columbia Business School, January-Entry
- 3. Columbia Business School, EMBA Options & Locations
- 4. Columbia Business School, MS in Financial Economics
- 5. Columbia Business School, Three-Year JD/MBA
- 6. Columbia Business School, Doctoral Degree Programs
- 7. Columbia Business School, Full-Time MBA and MBAxMS Costs (2026-2027)
- 8. Columbia Business School, Deferred Enrollment Program
- 9. Columbia Business School, DEP Class Profile