Columbia vs. Skidmore College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Skidmore College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,704 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); Skidmore College is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Skidmore College 8:1.

Columbia vs. Skidmore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Skidmore 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 Skidmore College ($22,520 vs. $31,187).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 2% lower than at Skidmore College ($17,580 vs. $17,940).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Skidmore College (about $4,555 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Columbia than at Skidmore College (about $4,555 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Skidmore College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Skidmore College students ($67,010 vs. $54,083).

Columbia vs. Skidmore College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 140 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Skidmore College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Skidmore College 1340/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Skidmore College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Skidmore College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
• Skidmore College has a higher acceptance rate (21.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

Columbia vs. Skidmore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Skidmore 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 Skidmore College's (84%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $53,200 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Skidmore 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.