Columbia vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, 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-ESF based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,757 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Columbia vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or SUNY-ESF? 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Columbia ($19,814 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 2.8% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($17,580 vs. $18,080).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 672.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $62,542 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 222.7% higher at Columbia than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $49,582 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 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 670.3% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($67,010 vs. $8,699).

Columbia vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 330 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Columbia vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and SUNY-ESF? 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $61,400 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($204 vs. $222).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.