Columbia vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 29,109 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); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Columbia vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Penn? 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 Penn ($22,520 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 8.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,580 vs. $19,174).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $3,159 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Columbia than at University of Pennsylvania (about $3,159 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at University of Pennsylvania (52% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 2.4% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($67,010 vs. $65,458).

Columbia vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 10 points higher than at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Penn has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 68% at Penn.

Columbia vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $867 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($20,633 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($213 vs. $222).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.