Columbia vs. EC

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Elmira College in Elmira, 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 EC based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 786 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); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Columbia vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or EC? 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 EC ($22,520 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 17.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($14,550 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 84.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $32,869 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.3% higher at Columbia than at Elmira College (about $32,869 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College 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 132.8% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($67,010 vs. $28,780).

Columbia vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 310 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.3% at EC.

Columbia vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $61,600 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.