Columbia University vs Cornell University

Columbia is more selective with an acceptance rate of 3.9% compared to 7.9%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.

At sticker price, Cornell costs less over 4 years ($331,176 vs $331,756). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Columbia offers an average of $55,820/year in aid while Cornell offers $46,150/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at Columbia is 1535 and at Cornell it is 1520. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.

Graduates of Columbia have a higher average starting salary ($89,200 vs $83,100). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.

Columbia has a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Cornell has 9:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.

Columbia is located in New York, New York (urban setting) with a 299-acre campus. Cornell is in Ithaca, New York (rural setting) with 2,300 acres. Columbia competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Cornell in NCAA D1.