Columbia vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 405 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 W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Columbia vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Olin 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Olin College ($22,520 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 15.5% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,580 vs. $20,810).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $5,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Columbia than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $5,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 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 54.8% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($67,010 vs. $43,290).

Columbia vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Olin 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 Olin College and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 20 points higher than at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• 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; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Columbia vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $6,790 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($14,710 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($152 vs. $222).

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.