Columbia vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 425 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); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Columbia vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or PHC? 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 PHC ($22,520 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 37.3% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($11,020 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 152.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $43,420 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.8% higher at Columbia than at Patrick Henry College (about $43,420 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College 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 402.1% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($67,010 vs. $13,345).

Columbia vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 220 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Columbia vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and PHC? 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).

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.