Columbia vs. Staten Island

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, 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 Staten Island based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 11,033 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); College of Staten Island CUNY is in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1.

Columbia vs. Staten Island Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Staten Island? 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Columbia ($6,525 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 16.9% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($17,580 vs. $21,155).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 859.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $64,355 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 365.3% higher at Columbia than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $56,405 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Staten Island CUNY than at Columbia University in the City of New York (80% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 685.9% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($67,010 vs. $8,526).

Columbia vs. Staten Island Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 480 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Staten Island - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.91 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 17% at Staten Island.

Columbia vs. Staten Island Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Staten Island? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $62,500 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $7,513 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($13,987 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($144 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 49%)

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.