Columbia vs. Hunter

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with CUNY Hunter 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 Hunter based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 22,538 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 Hunter 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 Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; CUNY Hunter College 14:1.

Columbia vs. Hunter Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Hunter? 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 Hunter College than Columbia ($4,431 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 32.7% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($11,832 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 873.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hunter (about $64,463 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,382.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 368.6% higher at Columbia than at CUNY Hunter College (about $56,513 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,332.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (87% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 586.9% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($67,010 vs. $9,755).

Columbia vs. Hunter Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 290 points higher than at Hunter (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; CUNY Hunter College 1100/1420.
• 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; Hunter - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Hunter (3.7).
• Hunter has a higher acceptance rate (53.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 16.7% at Hunter.

Columbia vs. Hunter Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Hunter? 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 Hunter College's (46%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $58,800 more per year than Hunter graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $9,952 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($11,548 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($119 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 56%)

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.