Columbia vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, 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 UVA based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main 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 Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Columbia vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Columbia ($18,427 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 15.8% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($14,800 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 229.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $50,042 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Columbia than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $12,333 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at University of Virginia Main Campus (52% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 133.4% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($67,010 vs. $28,715).

Columbia vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 70 points higher than at UVA (1480).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at UVA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 40% at UVA.

Columbia vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $30,400 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.