Columbia vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, 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 Purchase College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,333 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); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Columbia vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Columbia ($18,211 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 6.5% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,436 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 702.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $62,892 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274.1% higher at Columbia than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $52,642 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (72% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 542.4% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($67,010 vs. $10,432).

Columbia vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 270 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Columbia vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $67,400 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 65%)

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.