Columbia vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with CUNY City 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 City College of New York based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 15,544 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 City 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 City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Columbia vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or City College of New York? 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 City College than Columbia ($4,664 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 6.7% lower than at CUNY City College ($17,580 vs. $18,840).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 878.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $64,505 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 369.9% higher at Columbia than at CUNY City College (about $56,555 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (88% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 586.4% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($67,010 vs. $9,763).

Columbia vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 300 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
• 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; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Columbia vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and City College of New York? 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 City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $57,800 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $10,100 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($11,400 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($117 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 52%)

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.