Princeton vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ 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 Princeton based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Princeton 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: Princeton University 5:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Princeton vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Columbia ($15,313 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 13.2% lower than at Princeton University ($17,580 vs. $20,250).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $9,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Columbia than at Princeton University (about $9,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (67% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students ($68,727 vs. $67,010).

Princeton vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is the same as at Columbia (1550).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Princeton has a higher acceptance rate (4.6%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Princeton vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.