Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is located in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($22,520 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 7.8% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($16,200 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $7,885 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Columbia than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $7,885 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Columbia University in the City of New York (99% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 37.7% larger than aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students ($67,010 vs. $48,666).

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 240 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s (77%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $53,900 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.