Simmons University vs. Columbia

Deciding between Simmons University and Columbia University in the City of New York? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Simmons University
Columbia University in the City of New York

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Simmons University Boston, MA
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Simmons University Large City
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Simmons University 4,666
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Simmons University Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Simmons University #111
  • Columbia #22
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Simmons University -
  • Columbia -
  • Status
  • Simmons University Non-profit
  • Columbia Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Simmons University
  • Columbia
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Simmons University $46,874
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & Board
  • Simmons University $17,618
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average Net Price
  • Simmons University $28,691
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Simmons University $35,123
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Simmons University 100%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Simmons University 4,773
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Simmons University 3,340
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Simmons University 70%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Enrolled
  • Simmons University 10.8%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Simmons University 1310
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Simmons University 30
  • Columbia 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Simmons University 3.87
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Simmons University A
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Simmons University Very High
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Simmons University Low
  • Columbia Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Simmons University 26/34
  • Columbia 34/35
  • SAT Range
  • Simmons University 1220/1390
  • Columbia 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Simmons University Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Simmons University Feb 1, 2027
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Simmons University 9:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Simmons University
    • Health Professions (37%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Business (6%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Simmons University 69%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Simmons University $52,800
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Simmons University 80%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Simmons University $26,000
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Simmons University $268
  • Columbia $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Simmons University 9%
  • Columbia 45%
  • % Women
  • Simmons University 91%
  • Columbia 55%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Simmons University Medium
  • Columbia Very High
  • HBCU
  • Simmons University No
  • Columbia No
  • % White
  • Simmons University 67%
  • Columbia 38%
  • % Asian
  • Simmons University 9%
  • Columbia 18%
  • % Black
  • Simmons University 7%
  • Columbia 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Simmons University 6%
  • Columbia 13%
  • % Native American
  • Simmons University 0%
  • Columbia 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Simmons University 0%
  • Columbia 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Simmons University 4%
  • Columbia 5%
  • % International
  • Simmons University 3%
  • Columbia 15%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Simmons University 4%
  • Columbia 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Simmons University 60%
  • Columbia 16%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Simmons University 37%
  • Columbia 63%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Simmons University Yes
  • Columbia Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Simmons University No
  • Columbia Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Simmons University Yes
  • Columbia Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Simmons University No
  • Columbia No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Simmons University No
  • Columbia No

Comparable Facts

Compare Simmons University in Boston, 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 Simmons University based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Simmons University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Simmons 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: Simmons University 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Simmons University vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University 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 Simmons University ($22,520 vs. $28,691).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 0.2% lower than at Simmons University ($17,580 vs. $17,618).
  • Columbia University in the City of New York is 53.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simmons University (about $24,971 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $46,874.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at Columbia than at Simmons University (about $24,971 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $46,874.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simmons University 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 90.8% larger than aid received by Simmons University students ($67,010 vs. $35,123).

Simmons University vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simmons University 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 Simmons University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 240 points higher than at Simmons University (1310).
  • Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Simmons University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simmons University 1220/1390; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simmons University 26/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simmons University - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Simmons University Feb 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Simmons University (3.87).
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (70%) than Columbia (4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Simmons University vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Simmons University vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simmons University 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 Simmons University's (69%).
  • Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $54,800 more per year than Simmons University graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Simmons University graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simmons University graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Simmons University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.