Babson vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA 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 Babson based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Babson College 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: Babson College 15:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Babson vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Babson ($22,520 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 18.4% lower than at Babson College ($17,580 vs. $21,550).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $14,693 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Columbia than at Babson College (about $14,693 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Babson College (52% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 39.1% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($67,010 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson 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 Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 90 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Babson vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.