Columbia vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with University of Rochester in Rochester, 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 U of R based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 11,946 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 Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

Columbia vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or U of R? 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 U of R ($22,520 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.2% lower than at University of Rochester ($17,580 vs. $19,792).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $4,765 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Columbia than at University of Rochester (about $4,765 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Columbia University in the City of New York (72% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 47.3% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($67,010 vs. $45,500).

Columbia vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or U of R? 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 U of R and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 70 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Columbia vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and U of R? 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 University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $36,600 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.