Columbia vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Drexel based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 21,153 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); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Columbia vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Drexel? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Drexel ($22,520 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 2.9% lower than at Drexel University ($17,580 vs. $18,096).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $9,433 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Columbia than at Drexel University (about $9,433 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 91.2% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($67,010 vs. $35,051).

Columbia vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 210 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Columbia vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $30,200 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,743 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($222 vs. $271).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

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.