Columbia vs. Syracuse

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Syracuse University 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 Syracuse based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 22,589 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); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

Columbia vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Syracuse? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Syracuse ($22,520 vs. $48,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 8.4% lower than at Syracuse University ($17,580 vs. $19,188).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Syracuse (about $6,317 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,528.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Columbia than at Syracuse University (about $6,317 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,528.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (76% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 84% larger than aid received by Syracuse University students ($67,010 vs. $36,417).

Columbia vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 190 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Syracuse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Syracuse University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
• Syracuse has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

Columbia vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Syracuse? 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 Syracuse University's (80%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $41,700 more per year than Syracuse graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $65,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Syracuse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.