Columbia vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 26,793 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); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Columbia vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($22,520 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 9.5% lower than at Cornell University ($17,580 vs. $19,428).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell (about $2,531 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Columbia than at Cornell University (about $2,531 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Cornell University (52% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($67,010 vs. $61,779).

Columbia vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Cornell? 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 Cornell and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 10 points higher than at Cornell (1540).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Columbia vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Cornell? 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).

• The graduation rate at Columbia is the same as at Cornell University (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.