Northwestern vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL 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 Northwestern based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Northwestern 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: Northwestern University 6:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Northwestern vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern ($22,520 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 16.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,580 vs. $21,126).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $3,523 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Columbia than at Northwestern University (about $3,523 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (53% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 4% larger than aid received by Northwestern University students ($67,010 vs. $64,429).

Northwestern vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 10 points higher than at Northwestern (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Northwestern vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University'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 $17,800 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $2,122 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,378 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($200 vs. $222).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.