Columbia vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Villanova University in Villanova, 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 Villanova based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 10,041 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); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Columbia vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($22,520 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 0.6% lower than at Villanova University ($17,580 vs. $17,694).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Villanova (about $4,069 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Columbia than at Villanova University (about $4,069 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Villanova University (52% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 40.8% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($67,010 vs. $47,609).

Columbia vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 100 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Columbia vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Villanova graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $85,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,997 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($222 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.