Columbia vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,502 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); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Columbia vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Ursinus 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Ursinus College ($22,520 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 3.1% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,028 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $10,635 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at Columbia than at Ursinus College (about $10,635 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College 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 49.7% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($67,010 vs. $44,754).

Columbia vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 260 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Columbia vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Ursinus 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $49,600 more per year than Ursinus College 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 $5,500 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.