Head-to-head comparison
Columbia University vs. Princeton University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Columbia or Princeton harder to get into?
Columbia is harder to get into than Princeton. Columbia's 3.9% acceptance rate is lower than Princeton's 4.5%.
Which is cheaper, Columbia or Princeton?
Princeton costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Princeton's average net price is $6,128 vs $21,590 at Columbia.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Princeton graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $102,491 at Columbia and $110,066 at Princeton.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Columbia | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 4.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,587 | $83,140 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $21,590 | $6,128 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,902 | 5,590 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.1% | 97.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,491 | $110,066 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Princeton, New Jersey |
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 Princeton's 4.5% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Princeton is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,462 per year, $61,848 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Columbia is substantially larger with 8,902 undergrads vs 5,590 at Princeton. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Columbia is in New York, New York; Princeton is in Princeton, New Jersey. 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 12.6%). 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. Princeton is 50.4% women, 12.6% international, and 23.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Columbia | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.8% | 50.4% |
| International | 19.7% | 12.6% |
| White | 28.7% | 33.7% |
| Asian | 18.7% | 23.4% |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 10.1% |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Columbia vs. Princeton?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Columbia if
- the Core Curriculum
Pick Princeton if
- Your odds are realistic at Princeton (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Princeton costs $15,462 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($110,066 vs $102,491)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its senior thesis requirement
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
Princeton University
4.5% accept · Princeton, New Jersey
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.