Columbia University vs University of Virginia

Columbia is more selective with an acceptance rate of 3.9% compared to 16.3%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.

At sticker price, UVA costs less over 4 years ($280,784 vs $331,756). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Columbia offers an average of $55,820/year in aid while UVA offers $21,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at Columbia is 1535 and at UVA it is 1440. 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 $71,500). 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 UVA has 15:1. 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. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with 1,682 acres. Columbia competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UVA in NCAA D1.