Columbia University, an Ivy League school in New York City, has been known by several synonyms over the years. Some refer to it simply as Columbia, while others use the nickname "Columbia Lions" in reference to the school's athletic teams. Additionally, the university has been referred to as CU or ColU by some students and alumni. In the past, Columbia was also known as King's College from 1754 to 1784, before changing its name to Columbia College and eventually becoming Columbia University in 1896. Regardless of what it is called, the university remains one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world.