College Comparison
NYU vs Columbia 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
NYU
New York, NY
School
Columbia University
New York, NY
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | NYU | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 9.4% | 4.2%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1480–1570 | 1490–1570wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–35 | 34–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $60,438wins | $69,045 |
| Avg Net Price | $35,035 | $20,148wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $82,509 | $102,491wins |
| Graduation Rate | 88.5% | 95.0%wins |
| Retention Rate | 95.5% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 8:1 | 6:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 29,430wins | 8,899 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Columbia edges out NYU on 8 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.
NYU Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $60,438
- ✓Total Enrollment: 29,430
Columbia Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 4.2%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1490–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
- ✓Avg Net Price: $20,148
Want a deeper comparison?
Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.