UD vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE 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 UD based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 24,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Delaware 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 Delaware 16:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

UD vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 University of Delaware than Columbia ($19,139 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 12.5% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($15,386 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 327.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $55,035 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.5% higher at Columbia than at University of Delaware (about $30,445 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $41,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Columbia University in the City of New York (91% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 403.8% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($67,010 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 270 points higher than at UD (1280).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at UD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• UD has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

UD vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 Delaware's (78%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $46,300 more per year than UD graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,703 lower median loan debt than UD graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,203).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UD graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More UD 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.