Columbia vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Fordham University in Bronx, 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 Fordham based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 16,150 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); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Columbia vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($22,520 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 27% lower than at Fordham University ($17,580 vs. $24,090).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $6,930 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Columbia than at Fordham University (about $6,930 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (95% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 86.2% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($67,010 vs. $35,988).

Columbia vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 150 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Columbia vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $43,400 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Fordham 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.