MHC vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA 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 MHC based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College 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: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

MHC vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 MHC ($22,520 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 10.7% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,580 vs. $19,684).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $4,827 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Columbia than at Mount Holyoke College (about $4,827 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (77% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($67,010 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 90 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

MHC vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $57,600 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $294 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($21,206 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.