Columbia vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,812 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); Gettysburg College is in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Gettysburg College 10:1.

Columbia vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College ($22,520 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 8.4% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,110 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gettysburg College (about $5,205 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Columbia than at Gettysburg College (about $5,205 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (98% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Gettysburg College students ($67,010 vs. $49,191).

Columbia vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 180 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Gettysburg College has a higher acceptance rate (38.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

Columbia vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Gettysburg 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Gettysburg College's (85%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $46,700 more per year than Gettysburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $60,900), 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 Gettysburg College graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gettysburg College graduates ($222 vs. $227).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.