Washington College vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD 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 Washington College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Washington 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: Washington College 8:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Washington College vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington 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 Washington College ($22,520 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3.7% lower than at Washington College ($17,580 vs. $18,250).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 29.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $16,519 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.9% higher at Columbia than at Washington College (about $16,519 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 54.1% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($67,010 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 280 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Washington College vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $56,800 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.