Trinity College vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT 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 Trinity College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Trinity 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: Trinity College 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Trinity College vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity College 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 Trinity College ($22,520 vs. $36,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 6.9% lower than at Trinity College ($17,580 vs. $18,890).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity College (about $1,075 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Columbia than at Trinity College (about $1,075 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (73% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Trinity College students ($67,010 vs. $51,754).

Trinity College vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trinity College 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 Trinity College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 170 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Trinity College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Trinity College vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College 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 Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $36,100 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $71,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($21,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Trinity College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.