College Comparison
Columbia University vs Cornell University: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more — updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Columbia University
New York, NY
School
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Columbia | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 4.2%wins | 8.2% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1490–1570wins | 1480–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 34–35wins | 33–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,045 | $66,014wins |
| Avg Net Price | $20,148wins | $32,337 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $102,491 | $104,043wins |
| Graduation Rate | 95.0% | 95.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 97.2% | 97.8%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 6:1wins | 9:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 8,899 | 15,935wins |
Verdict
Columbia and Cornell are remarkably similar across key metrics. Your decision should come down to campus culture, location, financial aid package, and specific program strength.
Columbia Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 4.2%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1490–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
- ✓Avg Net Price: $20,148
Cornell Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $66,014
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $104,043
- ✓Graduation Rate: 95.1%
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.8%
Want a deeper comparison?
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