Is Columbia University a good company to work for?

Columbia University has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 6,176 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 65% of employees would recommend working at Columbia University to a friend and 51% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Columbia University have been left by employees working as Research Intern , Data Analyst and Undergraduate Research Assistant .

Does Columbia University pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Columbia University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Columbia University. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Columbia University?

65% of Columbia University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Columbia University 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.6 for culture and values and 3.6 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Columbia University?

Research Assistant (330) , Teaching Assistant (163) , Graduate Research Assistant (162) , Graduate Student (150) , PhD Student (145) , Postdoctoral Research Scientist (95) , Administrative Assistant (79) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (78) , Postdoctoral Fellow (74) , Associate Research Scientist (72) , Assistant Director (66) , Director (56) , Postdoctoral Researcher (55) , Associate Director (45) , Researcher (45)

What are the pros of working at Columbia University according to real employee reviews?

"Columbia and the Business School are great to work for because of the benefits and the people." ((in 495 reviews)); "The people are great and it's a pleasure to work with students" ((in 328 reviews)); "Flexible hours and in an understanding environment while being able to develop real world skills." ((in 123 reviews)); "Flexibility and good work life balance" ((in 113 reviews)); "Good work environment for the most part" ((in 90 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Columbia University according to real employee reviews?

"The pay can be low and slow" ((in 302 reviews)); "Low salary depending on the department and there is no way to know until you get the offer." ((in 274 reviews)); "extremely low on pay and poor management" ((in 105 reviews)); "Senior leadership can be difficult to deal with." ((in 40 reviews)); "If you get a bad manager, not much can be done." ((in 39 reviews))

What are employees saying about Columbia University layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Columbia University layoffs and their outlook for job security at Columbia University in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Columbia University locations?

New York , Morningside Heights , Brooklyn , Palisades , Washington Heights , Los Angeles , San Francisco , Chicago , New City , Washington , San Diego , Seattle , Manhattanville , Fort Lee , Manhasset , New York Mills , Columbus , Columbia , Jacksonville , Tampa , East Orange , Edison , Fair Lawn , Maplewood , New Brunswick , Newark , Paterson , Tenafly , Princeton , Orange Beach

Columbia University reviews

4.0

65% would recommend to a friend

(5,432 total reviews)

Lee C. Bollinger

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Columbia University has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 5,432 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Columbia University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

5K reviews

3.0

Feb 23, 2009

Staff Positions are Boring, but You'll Be Treated Well

Programmer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They pay for schooling and if you enjoy the academic environment, it's one of the best.

Cons

The way people are promoted is awful. It's political and seniority based, which leaves a lot of under qualified people at the top. Also, the workplace is very stagnant - there's not a lot of room for growth or doing new things. In the end, its more of an easy way to make money in a relaxing environment than it is to do something where you'll learn and grow. It's definitely not a place for the intellectually curious (this is for staff positions, not faculty positions).

4.0

Feb 19, 2009

Nice place to work.

Financial analyst

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits are amazing. 21 days vacation, unlimited sick leave, Private school scholarships, Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement.

Cons

It's very decentralized with each department it's own little "company".

4.0

Feb 10, 2009

Great place for intellectual stimulation, but has a long way to go for treatment of postdoctoral level scientists.

Postdoctoral research scientist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

It's prestigious and the name will carry you far. Also, there are many intelligent people who will stimulate interesting discussions.

Cons

Things are terribly disorganized and everything takes incredibly long. I just received a reimbursement for a work-related trip that was completed three months ago. Payments are often delayed due to general disorganization and mishaps. Postdocs get awful treatment because we have absolutely no benefit except for health care. I have no retirement funds, no dental or vision care. There are absolutely no perks with this job.

Viewing 5413 - 5415 of 5,432 Reviews

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Jobs at Columbia University

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