Georgetown vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgetown University in Washington, DC with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, 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 Georgetown based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 20,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgetown University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Georgetown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgetown University 11:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Georgetown vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgetown or Columbia? 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 Georgetown ($22,520 vs. $39,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 14.6% lower than at Georgetown University ($17,580 vs. $20,596).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgetown (about $3,828 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Columbia than at Georgetown University (about $3,828 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Georgetown University (52% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Georgetown University students ($67,010 vs. $49,658).

Georgetown vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 80 points higher than at Georgetown (1470).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Georgetown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 1390/1550; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 31/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgetown - Required; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Georgetown (3.89).
• Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (12.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at Georgetown vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Georgetown vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgetown and Columbia? 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).

• Georgetown University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Georgetown University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,900 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgetown University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($15,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Georgetown graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($160 vs. $222).
• More Georgetown 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.