Columbia vs. Baruch

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College 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 Baruch based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 20,081 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); CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; CUNY Bernard M Baruch College 19:1.

Columbia vs. Baruch Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Baruch? 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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College than Columbia ($4,326 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 6.6% lower than at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($17,580 vs. $18,832).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 862.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baruch (about $64,381 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,464.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 366.1% higher at Columbia than at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (about $56,431 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,414.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (89% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 562.5% larger than aid received by CUNY Bernard M Baruch College students ($67,010 vs. $10,114).

Columbia vs. Baruch Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 300 points higher than at Baruch (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; CUNY Bernard M Baruch College 1100/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Baruch - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Baruch Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Baruch (3.7).
• Baruch has a higher acceptance rate (47.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 19% at Baruch.

Columbia vs. Baruch Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Baruch? 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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College's (63%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $45,800 more per year than Baruch graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates have a $10,700 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($10,800 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Baruch graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($111 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baruch students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

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.