Columbia vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Haverford College in Haverford, 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 Haverford College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,431 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); Haverford College is in Haverford, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Haverford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Haverford College 8:1.

Columbia vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Haverford 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 Haverford College ($22,520 vs. $26,535).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 10.1% lower than at Haverford College ($17,580 vs. $19,548).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Haverford College (about $1,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Columbia than at Haverford College (about $1,157 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Haverford College (52% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Haverford College students ($67,010 vs. $63,742).

Columbia vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 40 points higher than at Haverford College (1510).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Haverford College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Haverford College (3.9).
• Haverford College has a higher acceptance rate (12.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

Columbia vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Haverford 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 Haverford College's (92%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $38,800 more per year than Haverford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $68,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($13,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($134 vs. $222).
• More Haverford College 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.