Columbia University notable alumni have left an indelible mark across global industries, from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to shaping world politics and pioneering business empires. As one of the Ivy League's oldest institutions, founded in 1754 in the heart of New York, Columbia fosters a network of influential leaders whose achievements underscore the university's commitment to excellence in liberal arts, sciences, law, business, and journalism. This prestigious lineage not only enhances Columbia's reputation but also provides current students, faculty, parents, and job seekers with unparalleled networking opportunities through its robust Online Alumni Community.
Key categories highlight the breadth of impact. In science and academia, Columbia boasts numerous Nobel laureates, with affiliates contributing to 104 Nobel Prizes as of recent counts, including alumni like physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi (Physics, 1944) and economist William F. Sharpe (Economics, 1990). Politics features U.S. Presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt (BA 1880) and Barack Obama (BA 1983), alongside figures like Warren Buffett (MS 1951), the legendary investor leading Berkshire Hathaway. Business trailblazers include Ursula Burns (MS 1981), the first African-American woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company (Xerox), and Leonard Blavatnik (MA), founder of Access Industries. Entertainment icons like Jake Gyllenhaal and his family, as well as sports figures, further diversify the roster.
These famous graduates of Columbia University exemplify the implications of its rigorous core curriculum and Manhattan location, which immerses students in cultural and professional hubs. Stats from sources like EduRank list over 100 prominent alumni, driving innovations that influence policy, economy, and culture worldwide. For job seekers eyeing higher education careers, this network amplifies prospects in New York academic jobs or higher ed jobs. Students can draw inspiration while reviewing faculty on Rate My Professor. Dive deeper into specifics like Nobel laureates, politics, or millionaires and billionaires for tailored insights. Whether pursuing faculty roles or scholarships via scholarships, Columbia's alumni legacy signals transformative potential.
The unique aspect lies in Columbia's emphasis on public service and interdisciplinary collaboration, producing leaders who tackle global challenges—from economic reforms to social justice. This heritage attracts diverse talents, fostering a community where breakthroughs like Buffett's value investing strategies or Burns' corporate leadership redefine success. For those considering Columbia, these stories illustrate the long-term value of its education in competitive fields, especially in vibrant New York, linking academic rigor to real-world dominance.
Columbia University notable alumni have left indelible marks across presidents, actors, billionaires, Nobel laureates, entertainment figures, sports icons, and politics. These famous graduates of Columbia University demonstrate the institution's power in shaping world leaders, innovators, and stars, inspiring students and job seekers eyeing opportunities in New York. From the Oval Office to Hollywood screens and Wall Street boardrooms, here's a breakdown with entertaining facts on top figures in key categories. For full lists, explore the politics, entertainment figures, millionaires and billionaires, Nobel laureates, and sports figures sections below. Check rate my professor reviews for Columbia faculty to see where these alumni studied.
Columbia's influence in politics is legendary, producing U.S. presidents and global influencers who navigated crises and shaped policy. Notable alumni from Columbia University in this arena include trailblazers who turned campus debates into national leadership.
From silver screen stars to literary giants, Columbia University celebrities in entertainment bring drama and creativity, turning Morningside Heights experiences into blockbuster careers.
Columbia University billionaires and millionaires dominate finance and tech, amassing fortunes through savvy investments and leadership—perfect inspiration for higher ed jobs seekers in business.
These standout notable alumni from Columbia University highlight paths from campus to global impact—explore more via Columbia's alumni page or Wikipedia list. Considering Columbia? Review professor ratings and New York academic jobs.
Columbia University notable alumni have left an indelible mark on the world, blending intellectual rigor with groundbreaking achievements that continue to inspire students and job seekers alike. Picture this: Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, earned his Master of Science (M.S.) in economics from Columbia Business School in 1951. His value investing philosophy, honed under professor Benjamin Graham, turned modest beginnings into a net worth exceeding $100 billion, proving that Columbia's finance education can launch billionaire trajectories. For more on such financial titans, explore the millionaires and billionaires list.
Notable alumni from Columbia University span politics too—Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President, graduated from Columbia College in 1983 with a B.A. in political science. His time navigating New York's vibrant intellectual scene shaped his path to the White House, where he championed healthcare reform and economic recovery post-2008 crisis. Meanwhile, Ursula Burns (M.S. 1981, mechanical engineering) shattered glass ceilings as the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, leading Xerox from 2009 to 2016 and advocating for STEM diversity.
Entertainment shines bright among famous graduates of Columbia University. Jake Gyllenhaal attended Columbia, channeling his arts education into Oscar-nominated roles in films like Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler. On stage, alumni like Kathryn Hahn have dazzled in Broadway and Hollywood. Columbia University Nobel winners add prestige—over 18 affiliates, including Eric Kandel (2000 Physiology/Medicine Nobel for memory research) and Martin Chalfie (2008 Chemistry Nobel for GFP discovery), highlight breakthroughs from campus labs. Dive deeper via Columbia's official distinguished alumni page.
These stories entertain while motivating: from Buffett's frugal wisdom (he still lives in his 1958 Omaha home) to Obama's community organizing roots post-graduation. Aspiring academics, check Rate My Professor for Columbia faculty insights before applying. Job seekers eyeing New York academia? Browse higher ed jobs or academic jobs in New York. Columbia University celebrities and influential leaders remind us: Lion pride roars eternally. For career tips, see how to write a winning academic CV.
Discover the remarkable impact of Columbia University notable alumni through our star-rated categories, drawing from verified lists on official university archives and trusted sources like Wikipedia's comprehensive alumni page. These ratings (out of 10) evaluate the scale, influence, and inspirational value of achievements by famous graduates of Columbia University, helping students, job seekers, and faculty gauge the Lions' network power. A high score signals transformative contributions that pave career paths in academia, business, and beyond—perfect motivation as you explore higher ed jobs or rate my professor insights for Columbia University courses.
These ratings inspire action: emulate paths by joining alumni networks, tailoring resumes with free resume templates, and pursuing scholarships. Columbia's track record proves its ROI—104 Nobel ties total. For job seekers, browse faculty positions amid New York's vibrant scene. Verified via Columbia Archives; let these achievements fuel your journey.
Columbia University boasts a rich legacy of entertainment alumni, spanning actors, musicians, composers, gamers, and chess masters, who have profoundly influenced film, theater, music, and competitive intellectual pursuits through groundbreaking performances, compositions, and strategic mastery.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Gyllenhaal | Actor | attended | Versatile actor celebrated for starring in Brokeback Mountain (2005), Nightcrawler (2014), and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). | |
| Maggie Gyllenhaal | Actress | English | BA 1999 | Golden Globe-winning actress renowned for her roles in Secretary (2002) and The Dark Knight (2008), earning an Oscar nomination for Crazy Heart (2009). |
| Eric Stoltz | Actor | attended | Emmy-nominated actor originally cast in Back to the Future (1985), starred in Pulp Fiction (1994). | |
| Tovah Feldshuh | Actress | BA 1975 | Obie and Drama Desk Award winner known for Broadway roles and the miniseries Holocaust (1978). | |
| William Lombardy | Chess Grandmaster | unknown | Three-time U.S. Chess Champion (1957-59) and International Master who mentored Bobby Fischer. | |
| Henry Selick | Director and animator | BA 1974 | Stop-motion animation director of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Coraline (2009). | |
| Mitski | Musician | BA 2010 | Critically acclaimed indie rock artist known for albums Puberty 2 (2016) and Be the Cowboy (2018). | |
| Allison Williams | Actress | BA 2010 | Emmy-nominated actress from HBO's Girls (2012-2017) and horror films like Get Out (2017). | |
| James Franco | Actor and director | Film | MFA 2010 | Golden Globe winner for 127 Hours (2010), directed The Disaster Artist (2017), and pursued advanced studies at the School of the Arts. |
| Casey Affleck | Actor | attended | Oscar winner for Best Actor in Manchester by the Sea (2016), also starred in The Assassination of Jesse James (2007). | |
| Kathryn Bigelow | Director | Film | BA 1972 | Academy Award-winning director for The Hurt Locker (2008), the first woman to win Best Director, also known for Zero Dark Thirty (2012). |
| Stephen Sondheim | Composer and lyricist | attended | Tony Award-winning genius behind A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd (1979), and Assassins (1991). | |
| Richard Rodgers | Composer | attended | Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Broadway classics like Oklahoma! (1943), South Pacific (1949), and The Sound of Music (1959). | |
| George Gershwin | Composer | attended 1919 | Iconic composer of Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935), blending jazz and classical music. | |
| Alicia Keys | Singer-songwriter | attended | 15-time Grammy Award winner known for chart-topping singles 'Fallin'' and 'If I Ain't Got You', and her role as a music producer. | |
| Art Garfunkel | Singer | Mathematics | BA 1965 | Grammy-winning member of Simon & Garfunkel, famous for timeless hits like 'The Sound of Silence' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. |
Columbia University boasts a rich athletic tradition with notable alumni athletes primarily in categories like Athletes from sports such as baseball, football, basketball, and fencing. These sports figures have excelled in professional leagues, NCAA championships, Olympics, and coaching, enhancing the prestige of the Columbia Lions and inspiring future generations with their achievements in competitive athletics.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Atkins | Fencer | 1993 | Two-time NCAA individual champion in foil (1991) and épée (1993) who went on to win the 1998 World Fencing Championships senior men's épée title. | |
| Peter Westbrook | Olympic Fencer | unknown | Six-time U.S. national sabre champion and five-time Olympian who competed for Columbia and founded the Peter Westbrook Foundation to promote fencing among underserved youth. | |
| Paul Governali | NFL Quarterback | 1943 | Columbia quarterback who finished second in the 1942 Heisman Trophy voting and enjoyed a professional career with the New York Giants. | |
| John Azary | Basketball Player | 1951 | Captain of Columbia's 1950-51 Ivy League champion basketball team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament; earned All-Ivy and All-Metropolitan honors and played professionally with the Boston Celtics. | |
| Nate McMillan | NBA Player and Head Coach | 1986 | Standout Columbia Lions basketball guard who played nine NBA seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics and later became a respected head coach for multiple NBA teams including the Hawks and Pacers. | |
| Sid Luckman | NFL Quarterback | 1939 | Pro Football Hall of Famer who quarterbacked the Chicago Bears to four NFL championships between 1940 and 1943 and pioneered the T-formation offense. | |
| Lou Gehrig | Major League Baseball Player | 1925 | Legendary New York Yankees first baseman nicknamed the 'Iron Horse' for playing 2,130 consecutive games, a MLB MVP in 1936, and inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. |
Columbia University boasts a remarkable legacy of political alumni in U.S., International, and Royalty and Nobility categories, whose leadership has shaped national policies, international diplomacy, and global governance through groundbreaking reforms and influential roles in government.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egbert Benson | U.S. Congressman | 1765 | Delegate to the Continental Congress and early U.S. Representative from New York. | |
| Madeleine Albright | 64th U.S. Secretary of State | International Relations | 1976 | First female U.S. Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001 and longest-serving female government official in U.S. history at the time. |
| Alexander Hamilton | 1st U.S. Secretary of the Treasury | attended 1774 | Founding Father, principal author of The Federalist Papers, and architect of the U.S. financial system. | |
| Prince Amedeo of Belgium | Archduke of Austria | Business Administration | M.B.A. | Member of Belgian royalty and nobility as the eldest grandson of King Albert II of Belgium, Archduke of Austria, and Prince of Hungary. |
| Robert R. Livingston | 1st U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affairs | 1764 | Key member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence and administered George Washington's oath of office. | |
| John Jay | 1st Chief Justice of the United States | 1764 | Founding Father, first Chief Justice, President of the Continental Congress, and co-author of The Federalist Papers. | |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower | 34th President of the United States | President 1948-1953 | WWII Supreme Allied Commander and 34th U.S. President from 1953 to 1961, who served as President of Columbia University before his presidency. | |
| Theodore Roosevelt | 26th President of the United States | Law | attended 1880 | Progressive 26th U.S. President from 1901 to 1909 who earned the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War. |
| Franklin Delano Roosevelt | 32nd President of the United States | Law | 1907 | Guided the U.S. through the Great Depression and World War II as the 32nd President from 1933 to 1945, implementing the New Deal programs. |
| Barack Obama | 44th President of the United States | Political Science | 1983 | Served as the 44th U.S. President from 2009 to 2017, the first African American to hold the office, and previously as U.S. Senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008. |
Columbia University alumni include a remarkable roster of millionaires and billionaires who have shaped industries like finance, technology, real estate, and manufacturing through innovative leadership and investment prowess. These graduates highlight the institution's strong emphasis on business acumen and entrepreneurial success in the United States and globally.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Blavatnik | Founder, Chairman, and President of Access Industries | Physics | M.A. | A prominent industrialist whose diverse portfolio spans natural resources, media, real estate, and biotech, making him one of the wealthiest individuals globally. |
| John Jacob Astor III | Real estate magnate | Law | LL.B. 1880 | Prominent 19th-century developer whose Manhattan properties contributed to immense family wealth during New York's Gilded Age. |
| Daniel Loeb | Founder and CEO of Third Point LLC | Economics | 1983 | Activist investor who has driven corporate changes at major companies while building one of the top hedge funds. |
| Louis Bacon | Founder of Moore Capital Management | Economics | 1979 | Macro hedge fund manager renowned for bold trades and environmental philanthropy, including vast land conservation efforts. |
| Robert Kraft | Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group | Business | 1965 (M.B.A.) | Owner of the New England Patriots and a diversified business empire spanning paper, real estate, and sports. |
| Leon G. Cooperman | Founder and Chairman of Omega Advisors | Economics | 1965 (B.A.) | Hedge fund manager who rose from humble beginnings to build a multi-billion-dollar fortune through astute equity investments. |
| William Campbell | Former Chairman of Intuit | B.A., M.A. | Influential Silicon Valley advisor and Intuit leader who guided tech giants like Apple and Google through key growth phases. | |
| Robert Agostinelli | Co-founder of Rhone Group | unknown | Hedge fund pioneer and co-founder of Rhone Group, known for successful investments and philanthropic efforts in policy and education. | |
| Ursula Burns | Former CEO of Xerox | Mechanical Engineering | 1981 (M.S.) | Pioneering leader who became the first Black woman to helm a Fortune 500 company, driving Xerox's transformation amid technological shifts. |
| Warren Buffett | Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway | Economics | 1951 (M.S.) | Widely regarded as one of the greatest investors of all time, he built Berkshire Hathaway into a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate through value investing principles. |
| Henry Kravis | Co-founder and Co-executive Chairman of KKR & Co. | Business Administration | 1969 (M.B.A.) | Leveraged buyout titan who co-founded KKR, revolutionizing private equity and managing hundreds of billions in assets. |
Columbia University has produced or been home to numerous Nobel Laureates among its alumni, including graduates and attendees, who have driven transformative advancements in physics, chemistry, medicine, economics, and other disciplines. These laureates exemplify the university's pivotal role in pioneering research that shapes global scientific, economic, and peaceful progress.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William H. Stein | Biochemist | Biochemistry | PhD 1942 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1972) for interpretation of the chemical structure of ribonucleic acid; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Barack Obama | 44th President of the United States | Political Science | BA 1983 | Nobel Peace Prize (2009) for efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation; Columbia College alumnus. |
| Baruch S. Blumberg | Physician | Medicine | MD 1951 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1976) for discoveries concerning new mechanisms for the origin and dissemination of infectious diseases; Columbia medical alumnus. |
| D. Carleton Gajdusek | Pediatrician | Medicine | MD 1946 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1976) for discoveries concerning new mechanisms for the origin and dissemination of infectious diseases; Columbia medical alumnus. |
| Samuel C. C. Ting | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1962 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1976) for discovery of the J/psi particle; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Arno A. Penzias | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1962 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1978) for discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Val L. Fitch | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1954 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1980) for violation of CP symmetry; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Arthur L. Schawlow | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1949 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1981) for contributions to laser spectroscopy; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| George J. Stigler | Economist | Economics | unknown | Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1982) for industrial structures and functioning of markets; Columbia alumnus. |
| Herbert A. Hauptman | Mathematician | Mathematics | PhD 1955 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1985) for methods of determining the three-dimensional structure of biological substances; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Arthur Ashkin | Physicist | Physics | BS 1947 | Nobel Prize in Physics (2018) for optical tweezers and applications; Columbia College alumnus. |
| Louise Glück | Poet | English Literature | unknown | Nobel Prize in Literature (2020) for her unmistakable poetic voice that makes individual existence universal; Columbia attendee. |
| Leon N. Cooper | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1954 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1972) for theory of superconductivity; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Kenneth J. Arrow | Economist | Economics | PhD 1951 | Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1972) for contributions to general economic equilibrium theory and welfare theory; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Simon S. Kuznets | Economist | Economics | PhD 1924 | Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1971) for empirically founding economic growth research; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Salvador E. Luria | Microbiologist | Biology | unknown | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1969) for discoveries concerning the replication mechanism and genetic structure of viruses; Columbia alumnus. |
| Julian S. Schwinger | Theoretical Physicist | Physics | PhD 1939 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1965) for quantum electrodynamics; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Charles H. Townes | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1941 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1964) for fundamental work in quantum electronics leading to the maser-laser; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Konrad E. Bloch | Biochemist | Biochemistry | PhD 1938 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1964) for discoveries concerning the mechanism and regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| André F. Cournand | Physician | Medicine | MD 1935 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1956) for discoveries concerning heart catheterization and circulatory changes; Columbia medical alumnus. |
| Dickinson W. Richards | Physiologist | Medicine | MD 1922 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1956) for discoveries concerning heart catheterization and circulatory changes; Columbia medical alumnus. |
| Willis E. Lamb | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1938 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1955) for discoveries concerning the fine structure of the hydrogen spectrum; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
| Edward C. Kendall | Biochemist | Medicine | MD 1925 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1950) for discoveries relating to hormones of the adrenal cortex; Columbia medical alumnus. |
| Harold C. Urey | Chemist | Chemistry | PhD 1923 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1934) for the discovery of heavy hydrogen; Columbia PhD alumnus and faculty. |
| Robert A. Millikan | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1898 | Nobel Prize in Physics (1923) for his work on the elementary charge of the electron and the photoelectric effect; Columbia PhD alumnus. |
