UMass vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, 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 UMass based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 31,726 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

UMass vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($22,520 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 4.9% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,710 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 304.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $54,073 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.6% higher at Columbia than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $31,396 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 411.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($67,010 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 140 points higher than at UMass (1410).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UMass).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

UMass vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $52,400 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($222 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.