Columbia vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,826 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); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Columbia vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington than Columbia ($21,800 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 18.9% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($14,250 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 390.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $57,205 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.7% higher at Columbia than at University of Mary Washington (about $44,285 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Columbia University in the City of New York (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 538.7% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($67,010 vs. $10,491).

Columbia vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 280 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Columbia vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $52,100 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington and Columbia graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Mary Washington and Columbia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Mary Washington College 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.