Columbia vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, 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 Vassar based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,462 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); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Columbia vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($22,520 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3.6% lower than at Vassar College ($17,580 vs. $18,240).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vassar (about $815 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $71,030.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Columbia than at Vassar College (about $815 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $71,030.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($67,010 vs. $57,443).

Columbia vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 50 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Columbia vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $49,200 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,720 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($163 vs. $222).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.