Wesleyan University vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, 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 Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 8:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University ($22,520 vs. $23,025).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.5% lower than at Wesleyan University ($17,580 vs. $19,872).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wesleyan University (about $1,503 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,342.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Columbia than at Wesleyan University (about $1,503 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Wesleyan University (52% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 1.5% larger than aid received by Wesleyan University students ($67,010 vs. $65,995).

Wesleyan University vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 70 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Wesleyan University vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University's (92%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $49,600 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($180 vs. $222).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.