College Comparison
Columbia University vs Northwestern 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
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Columbia | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 4.2%wins | 7.1% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1490–1570 | 1490–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 34–35wins | 33–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,045 | $65,997wins |
| Avg Net Price | $20,148wins | $27,143 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $102,491wins | $89,363 |
| Graduation Rate | 95.0% | 95.9%wins |
| Retention Rate | 97.2% | 97.4%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 8,899 | 8,960wins |
Verdict
Columbia and Northwestern 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%
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
- ✓Avg Net Price: $20,148
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $102,491
Northwestern Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $65,997
- ✓Graduation Rate: 95.9%
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.4%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 8,960
Want a deeper comparison?
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