Columbia vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 18,625 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); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Columbia vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($22,520 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 17.5% lower than at Stanford University ($17,580 vs. $21,315).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $5,935 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Columbia than at Stanford University (about $5,935 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (61% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($67,010 vs. $62,755).

Columbia vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is the same as at Stanford (1550).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (4%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Columbia vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $9,025 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($12,475 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($128 vs. $222).
• More Stanford 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.