George Washington vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, 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 George Washington based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

George Washington vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Columbia? 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 George Washington ($22,520 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 3.8% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,920 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $4,135 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Columbia than at George Washington University (about $4,135 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (78% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 78.7% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($67,010 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 120 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

George Washington vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Columbia? 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $27,100 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $3,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.