Columbia vs. Queens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with CUNY Queens College in Queens, 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 Queens College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 15,965 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 Queens College is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Queens College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; CUNY Queens College 13:1.

Columbia vs. Queens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Queens 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 Queens College than Columbia ($5,728 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Queens College are 2.5% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,132 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 853.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $64,307 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 363.9% higher at Columbia than at CUNY Queens College (about $56,357 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Queens College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (81% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 639.9% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($67,010 vs. $9,057).

Columbia vs. Queens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Queens 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 Queens 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 Queens 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 Queens College 1010/1290.
• 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; Queens College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.91 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Queens College (3.0).
• Queens College has a higher acceptance rate (64.3%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.3% at Queens College.

Columbia vs. Queens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Queens 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 Queens College's (53%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $56,800 more per year than Queens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($11,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($113 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College 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.