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College Comparison

Columbia University vs Ohio State 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

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricColumbiaOhio State
Acceptance Rate4.2%wins50.8%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1490–1570wins1330–1480
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins29–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$69,045$38,365wins
Avg Net Price$20,148$18,292wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$102,491wins$60,409
Graduation Rate95.0%wins87.7%
Retention Rate97.2%wins94.1%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment8,89944,617wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Columbia edges out Ohio State on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Columbia Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 4.2%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1490–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $102,491

Ohio State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $38,365
  • Avg Net Price: $18,292
  • Total Enrollment: 44,617

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