Brandeis University vs. Columbia

Should I go to Brandeis University or Columbia University in the City of New York? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brandeis University or Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Brandeis University vs. Columbia University in the City of New York comparison
Brandeis University Columbia University in the City of New York College 3 College 4
Brandeis University Columbia University in the City of New York
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Overview

Brandeis University Columbia
Location Waltham, MA New York, NY
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 5,581 34,782
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #90 #22
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brandeis.edu columbia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brandeis University Columbia
Tuition (In State) $61,724 $62,570
Tuition (Out of State) $61,724 $62,570
Room & Board $17,092 $16,286
Avg Net Price $45,565 $22,058
Avg Grant Aid $33,733 $61,061
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 52%

Admission

Brandeis University Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,917 60,879
Admitted 3,908 2,404
Acceptance Rate 39.4% 3.9%
Enrolled % 25.2% 64.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.91
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Elite
Applicant Competition High Extreme
ACT Range 31/34 34/35
SAT Range 1370/1530 1490/1580
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2025

Academics

Brandeis University Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Brandeis University Columbia
Graduation Rate 91% 93%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,700 $107,600
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Brandeis University Columbia
% Men 43% 46%
% Women 57% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 38%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 7% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 20% 15%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

Brandeis University Columbia
% In-State 22% 19%
% Out-of-State 57% 64%

Campus

Brandeis University Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (34,782 students vs. 5,581 students)

Brandeis University vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Columbia?

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.4% more expensive to attend than Brandeis University for in-state tuition ($62,570.00 vs. $61,724.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Columbia than Brandeis University ($62,570.00 vs. $61,724.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than Brandeis University ($22,058 vs. $45,565)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 4.9% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($16,286 vs. $17,092)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Columbia University in the City of New York (64% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 81% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($61,061 vs. $33,733)

Brandeis University vs. Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia or Brandeis University .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia University in the City of New York (1473) is 113 points higher than at Brandeis University (1360)
  • Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (33) than students at Brandeis University (31)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Brandeis University (3.84)
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (39.4%) than Columbia (3.9%)

Brandeis University vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brandeis University or Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia and Brandeis University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia is higher than Brandeis University (93% vs. 91%)
  • Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn on average $40,900 more per year than Brandeis University graduates after ten years. ($107,600 vs. $66,700)
  • Columbia University in the City of New York students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Brandeis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/