Yale vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, 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 Yale based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 15,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Yale 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: Yale University 5:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Yale vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Columbia ($22,408 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.7% lower than at Yale University ($17,580 vs. $19,900).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $4,595 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Columbia than at Yale University (about $4,595 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (56% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($67,010 vs. $65,892).

Yale vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 30 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (4%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Yale vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($13,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($139 vs. $222).
• More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.