Brandeis University vs. Columbia

Brandeis University and Columbia University in the City of New York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Brandeis University
Columbia University in the City of New York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 40.5%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs Columbia 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs Columbia $107,600 (median).
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Key differences

Brandeis University Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
Columbia4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
Columbia1510-1580
Average net price
Columbia $21,030 less
Brandeis University$43,550
Columbia$22,520
In-state tuition
Brandeis University $3,765 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Columbia$71,845
Out-of-state tuition
Brandeis University $3,765 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Columbia$71,845
Graduation rate
Columbia +2 pts
Brandeis University91%
Columbia93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$40,900
Brandeis University$66,700
Columbia$107,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Columbia 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Columbia Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Columbia $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Columbia #22

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 5,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.9% lower than at Brandeis University ($17,580 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Columbia than at Brandeis University (about $3,765 more per year; $71,845 vs. $68,080).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (62% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($67,010 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Columbia than at Brandeis University (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Brandeis University and Columbia.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 76%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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