Columbia vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Brown based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 11,956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Brown University 6:1.

Columbia vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Brown? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than Brown ($22,520 vs. $26,256).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 0.8% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,444 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Brown (about $433 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $71,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Columbia than at Brown University (about $433 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $71,412.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York as at Brown University (52% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($67,010 vs. $61,392).

Columbia vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Brown? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Brown and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is the same as at Brown (1550).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Brown - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Brown has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Columbia vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Brown? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Brown graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $87,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.