UChicago vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, 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 UChicago based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 18,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Chicago 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: University of Chicago 5:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

UChicago vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($22,520 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 12.6% lower than at University of Chicago ($17,580 vs. $20,109).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UChicago (about $1,183 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,662.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Columbia than at University of Chicago (about $1,183 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,662.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at University of Chicago (52% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($67,010 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is the same as at Columbia (1550).
• Incoming UChicago 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: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• UChicago has a higher acceptance rate (4.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

UChicago vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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 University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UChicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $98,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($14,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($149 vs. $222).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.