Columbia vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, 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 SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 6,938 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); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Columbia vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Columbia ($19,847 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 11.5% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($15,560 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 709.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $62,971 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 282.5% higher at Columbia than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $53,061 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Columbia University in the City of New York (63% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 711.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($67,010 vs. $8,254).

Columbia vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 380 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Columbia vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $60,300 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland and Columbia graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, State University of New York at Cortland and Columbia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.