<p>I’m at Columbia right now for my master’s for SEAS. Although yes it is common for prices to be around 1000 if you look for an unfurnished apartment to share with 1 other person, it is much more common (from what I’ve experienced and from what my friends and classmates have experienced) for people to move in with students who already have furnished apartments are looking for an additional person. This is much much cheaper. Although you will frequently have to live with more than 1 other person, the savings makes it worth it, especially since as a grad student you won’t be staying at home much anyway. For example, right now I’m staying in a 2 bedroom with a dude (non student) who has been living here for ~10 years. I found the listing on Columbia and was incredibly fortunate to get a price of $700/month (+50 for internet), fully furnished, laundry INSIDE the apartment, and located 10 blocks from campus.</p>