Head-to-head comparison
Columbia University vs. University of Pennsylvania
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Columbia or Penn harder to get into?
Columbia is harder to get into than Penn. Columbia's 3.9% acceptance rate is lower than Penn's 5.4%.
Which is cheaper, Columbia or Penn?
Columbia costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Columbia's average net price is $21,590 vs $28,699 at Penn.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Penn graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $102,491 at Columbia and $111,371 at Penn.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Columbia | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,587 | $89,028 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $21,590 | $28,699 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,902 | 10,539 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.1% | 96.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $102,491 | $111,371 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Columbia is modestly harder to get into. The 1.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Columbia is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $7,109 per year, $28,436 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Penn graduates earn $8,880 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. Columbia grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Columbia is in New York, New York; Penn is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Penn is 55.0% women, 12.6% international, and 28.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Columbia | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.8% | 55.0% |
| International | 19.7% | 12.6% |
| White | 28.7% | 27.4% |
| Asian | 18.7% | 28.4% |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.3% |
| Black | 7.5% | 9.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Columbia vs. Penn?
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 $7,109 less per year on average
- the Core Curriculum
Pick Penn if
- Your odds are realistic at Penn (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($111,371 vs $102,491)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the One University Policy that lets undergrads take classes across Wharton
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
University of Pennsylvania
5.4% accept · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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.