Columbia vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, 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 Poly based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,733 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 Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Columbia vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than Columbia ($14,782 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 5.7% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,584 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 733% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $63,220 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238.7% higher at Columbia than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $50,630 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 701.8% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($67,010 vs. $8,357).

Columbia vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 350 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

Columbia vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $54,400 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $4,915 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($16,585 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($171 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.