Columbia vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, 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 F&M based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,808 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); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Columbia vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or F&M? 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 F&M ($22,520 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 7.9% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,188 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than F&M (about $1,051 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Columbia than at Franklin and Marshall College (about $1,051 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (80% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($67,010 vs. $41,901).

Columbia vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or F&M? 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 F&M and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 160 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Columbia vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $45,700 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($222 vs. $227).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.