Columbia vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Columbia based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 35,173 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Columbia vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($22,520 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 22.5% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($13,620 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 227.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $49,919 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.4% higher at Columbia than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $30,415 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at Columbia University in the City of New York (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 306.3% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($67,010 vs. $16,494).

Columbia vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or Pitt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pitt and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 180 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 13% at Pitt.

Columbia vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Pitt? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $49,600 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($222 vs. $278).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt 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.