Northeastern vs. Columbia

Should I go to Northeastern University or Columbia University in the City of New York? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern or Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

BU BC Tufts Harvard Yale Barnard Babson Princeton NYU Cornell Brandeis University UChicago
Northeastern University vs. Columbia University in the City of New York comparison
Northeastern University Columbia University in the City of New York College 3 College 4
Northeastern University Columbia University in the City of New York
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northeastern Columbia
Location Boston, MA New York, NY
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 30,013 34,782
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #130 #22
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northeastern.edu columbia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Columbia
Tuition (In State) $59,100 $62,570
Tuition (Out of State) $59,100 $62,570
Room & Board $18,430 $16,286
Avg Net Price $35,827 $22,058
Avg Grant Aid $42,331 $61,061
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 52%

Admission

Northeastern Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 91,000 60,879
Admitted 6,191 2,404
Acceptance Rate 6.8% 3.9%
Enrolled % 40.7% 64.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.91 3.91
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Elite
Applicant Competition Extreme Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 34/35
SAT Range 1440/1550 1490/1580
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2024 Jan 1, 2024

Academics

Northeastern Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Columbia
Graduation Rate 77% 93%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $69,500 $107,600
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,875 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $288 $222

Diversity

Northeastern Columbia
% Men 48% 46%
% Women 52% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 38%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 7% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 20% 15%
% Unknown Race 6% 3%

Students

Northeastern Columbia
% In-State 21% 19%
% Out-of-State 66% 64%

Campus

Northeastern Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than than Northeastern based on total student enrollment (34,782 students vs. 30,013 students)

Northeastern vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Columbia?

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is 5.9% more expensive to attend than Northeastern for in-state tuition ($62,570.00 vs. $59,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at Columbia than Northeastern University ($62,570.00 vs. $59,100.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than Northeastern ($22,058 vs. $35,827)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 13.2% lower than costs at Northeastern University ($16,286 vs. $18,430)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern University than Columbia University in the City of New York (82% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 44.2% larger than aid received Northeastern University ($61,061 vs. $42,331)

Northeastern vs. Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern or Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia or Northeastern .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia University in the City of New York (1473) is 38 points higher than at Northeastern (1435)
  • Incoming Northeastern students have at the same average ACT score (33) as students at Columbia (33)
  • Accepted freshman Northeastern students have at the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Columbia (3.91)
  • Northeastern has a higher acceptance rate (6.8%) than Columbia (3.9%)

Northeastern vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern or Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia and Northeastern.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia is higher than Northeastern University (93% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn on average $38,100 more per year than Northeastern graduates after ten years. ($107,600 vs. $69,500)
  • Columbia University in the City of New York students graduate with a $6,375 lower median federal student loan debt than Northeastern graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,875)
  • Columbia graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than Northeastern graduates. ($222 vs. $288)
  • More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/