Barnard College junior Daniella Moffson, 21, Columbia sophomore Olivia Erhardt, 19, and Abigail Flanagan, 45, a student and nurse practitioner at the Columbia University Medical Center, all perished, the Columbia Spectator reported.
Twelve more Americans, including other Columbia students, were injured.
Reinaldo Canales, administrator for the Valle de Angeles Adventist Hospital in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, said they were in stable condition.
Three other Barnard students were on the trip, but were unharmed.
Barnard is a Columbia-affiliated women’s school located near the Morningside Heights campus.
“This terrible and tragic loss is all the greater because these individuals were dedicating their passion and very special talents to serving those in need.”
The crash took place on a highway east of Tegucigalpa. Officials reported that the bus was traveling from the town of San Juancito when it veered off a road and fell at least 260 feet into a ravine.
Fire department spokesman Capt. Gustavo Barahona said the crash was believed to be the result of mechanical failure.
He said the group was headed to the airport for a flight to the US after carrying out a health mission for poor residents of San Juancito and Valle de Angeles.
The mission was organized by US-based Global Brigades.
The US Embassy said it was in contact with local authorities and working to provide consular assistance to any who need it.
With AP