UConn vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Connecticut in Storrs, 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 UConn based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 28,306 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Connecticut is a public, 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 Connecticut 17:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

UConn vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UConn 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 UConn ($22,520 vs. $25,310).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 18.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($14,380 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 241.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UConn (about $50,801 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $21,044.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.4% higher at Columbia than at University of Connecticut (about $28,133 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $43,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at Columbia University in the City of New York (81% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 306% larger than aid received by University of Connecticut students ($67,010 vs. $16,503).

UConn vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UConn 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 UConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 220 points higher than at UConn (1330).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at UConn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 1210/1440; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 28/33; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UConn - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UConn Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at UConn (3.74).
• UConn has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at UConn vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

UConn vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UConn 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 Connecticut's (83%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $45,600 more per year than UConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York and UConn graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Columbia University in the City of New York and UConn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More UConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.