Columbia vs. Brooklyn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with CUNY Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 14,390 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 Brooklyn College is in Brooklyn, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Brooklyn College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; CUNY Brooklyn College 13:1.

Columbia vs. Brooklyn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Brooklyn College? 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 Brooklyn College than Columbia ($4,512 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 21% lower than at CUNY Brooklyn College ($17,580 vs. $22,260).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 864.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Brooklyn College (about $64,393 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,452.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 366.5% higher at Columbia than at CUNY Brooklyn College (about $56,443 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,402.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Brooklyn College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (90% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 606.7% larger than aid received by CUNY Brooklyn College students ($67,010 vs. $9,482).

Columbia vs. Brooklyn College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 400 points higher than at Brooklyn College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; CUNY Brooklyn College 950/1340.
• 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; Brooklyn College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Brooklyn College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Brooklyn College (3.42).
• Brooklyn College has a higher acceptance rate (58.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 10.1% at Brooklyn College.

Columbia vs. Brooklyn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Brooklyn College? 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 Brooklyn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $59,700 more per year than Brooklyn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Brooklyn College graduates have a $11,118 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($10,382 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Brooklyn College graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($107 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brooklyn College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 54%)

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.