Head-to-head comparison
Columbia University vs. New York University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Columbia or NYU harder to get into?
Columbia is harder to get into than NYU. Columbia's 3.9% acceptance rate is lower than NYU's 9.2%.
Which is cheaper, Columbia or NYU?
Columbia costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Columbia's average net price is $21,590 vs $37,050 at NYU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Columbia graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $102,491 at Columbia and $82,509 at NYU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Columbia | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 9.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1480–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,587 | $84,374 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $21,590 | $37,050 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,902 | 28,663 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.1% | 87.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,491 | $82,509 |
| Setting | New York, New York | New York, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Columbia is meaningfully harder to get into. A 5.4-percentage-point gap between 3.9% (Columbia) and 9.2% (NYU) reflects real selectivity differences. NYU is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Columbia is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,460 per year, $61,840 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Columbia graduates earn $19,982 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. NYU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
NYU is substantially larger with 28,663 undergrads vs 8,902 at Columbia. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 19.7%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Columbia's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (96.1% vs 87.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Columbia is 49.8% women, 19.7% international, and 18.7% Asian-American. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Columbia | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.8% | 59.3% |
| International | 19.7% | 26.1% |
| White | 28.7% | 22.0% |
| Asian | 18.7% | 22.2% |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 14.4% |
| Black | 7.5% | 6.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Columbia vs. NYU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Columbia if
- Net price matters: Columbia costs $15,460 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($102,491 vs $82,509)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Core Curriculum
Pick NYU if
- Your odds are realistic at NYU (slightly easier admit)
- the Tisch School of the Arts
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
New York University
9.2% accept · New York, New York
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.