MIT vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA 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 MIT based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

MIT vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Columbia ($20,996 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 13.3% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($17,580 vs. $20,280).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $9,449 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Columbia than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $9,449 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Columbia University in the City of New York (59% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($67,010 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is the same as at Columbia (1550).
• Incoming MIT 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: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Columbia - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• MIT has a higher acceptance rate (4.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

MIT vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• The graduation rate at MIT is the same as at Columbia University in the City of New York (93% vs. 93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $34,500 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,184 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($17,316 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($179 vs. $222).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.