Head-to-head comparison
Columbia University vs. Harvard University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Columbia or Harvard harder to get into?
Harvard is harder to get into than Columbia. Harvard's 3.6% acceptance rate is lower than Columbia's 3.9%.
Which is cheaper, Columbia or Harvard?
Harvard costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Harvard's average net price is $19,066 vs $21,590 at Columbia.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Columbia graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $102,491 at Columbia and $101,817 at Harvard.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Columbia | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 3.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–36 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,587 | $82,950 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $21,590 | $19,066 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,902 | 7,240 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.1% | 97.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,491 | $101,817 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Columbia's 3.9% acceptance rate and Harvard's 3.6% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Columbia is in New York, New York; Harvard is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Columbia has a more international student body (19.7% non-resident students vs 14.6%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Columbia is 49.8% women, 19.7% international, and 18.7% Asian-American. Harvard is 53.8% women, 14.6% international, and 22.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Columbia | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.8% | 53.8% |
| International | 19.7% | 14.6% |
| White | 28.7% | 30.9% |
| Asian | 18.7% | 22.4% |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.9% |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Columbia vs. Harvard?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Columbia if
- Your odds are realistic at Columbia (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($102,491 vs $101,817)
- the Core Curriculum
Pick Harvard if
- Net price matters: Harvard costs $2,524 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential Houses system
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Columbia University
3.9% accept · New York, New York
Full profile
Harvard University
3.6% accept · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.