Columbia vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with University at Albany in Albany, 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 University at Albany- SUNY based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 17,560 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); University at Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; University at Albany 16:1.

Columbia vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany than Columbia ($17,949 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 6.6% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,423 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 561.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $60,979 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.9% higher at Columbia than at University at Albany (about $40,589 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at Columbia University in the City of New York (96% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 497.8% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($67,010 vs. $11,210).

Columbia vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 330 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY.

Columbia vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $51,800 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $435 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($21,065 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

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.