Columbia vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Columbia vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr ($22,520 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 9.4% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($17,580 vs. $19,400).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $5,925 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Columbia than at Bryn Mawr College (about $5,925 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (72% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($67,010 vs. $50,029).

Columbia vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 150 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Columbia vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $46,100 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $61,500), 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 Bryn Mawr graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Bryn Mawr graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.