Columbia University, founded in 1754 as King's College, is the oldest university in New York State and the fifth-oldest in the United States. An Ivy League institution of global renown, Columbia consistently ranks among the world's top five universities and is home to some of the most influential research programs on the planet.
Located in the vibrant Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, Columbia's main Morningside campus occupies 36 acres of prime New York real estate, surrounded by the eclectic neighborhoods of Harlem, the Upper West Side, and Riverside Drive along the Hudson. The university also operates the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus in Washington Heights, the Manhattanville campus in West Harlem, and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York.
Columbia enrolls approximately 36,000 students across its 20 schools and institutions, with one of the largest international student populations of any American university — students from over 150 countries call Columbia home. The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the Business School, the Law School, and the Graduate School of Journalism are among the most sought-after programs in the world.
Notable alumni include three U.S. presidents — Alexander Hamilton, Theodore Roosevelt, and Barack Obama — as well as Warren Buffett, Lou Gehring, Langston Hughes, and an extraordinary roster of Nobel laureates. Columbia has produced more Nobel Prize winners than virtually any other institution in the world, with over 100 laureates affiliated with the university.
The campus itself is architecturally stunning. The Low Memorial Library, now used as an administrative building, sits at the heart of campus and is one of the great Beaux-Arts landmarks of New York City. Butler Library, one of the largest research libraries in the country, holds over 13 million items. The legendary steps of Low Library are one of the most photographed spots in New York — a place where students gather, read, and watch the city go by.
For families flying into New York, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is approximately 45–60 minutes from Columbia's Morningside campus depending on traffic. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest at 30–45 minutes. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is approximately 50–70 minutes. MyNYSUV provides door-to-door luxury SUV service from all three airports, with flight tracking, meet & greet in the arrivals hall, and full luggage assistance.
Move-in days at Columbia typically occur in late August. MyNYSUV recommends booking transportation well in advance for move-in weekend, as demand is extremely high. We handle multiple trips, oversized luggage, and coordination with on-campus move-in teams. We also serve the Columbia Medical Center campus in Washington Heights for medical students and faculty.
Nearby universities we also serve include New York University (NYU) in Greenwich Village (approximately 30 minutes south), Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus (15 minutes), and the entire Manhattan university corridor.