Columbia University in the City of New York vs CUNY City College
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY. CUNY City College is a public college in New York, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York admits about 4% of applicants and CUNY City College about 60%, making Columbia University in the City of New York the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $3,776 a year at CUNY City College after aid, and about $21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York. About 96% of students graduate at Columbia University in the City of New York, compared with 56% at CUNY City College. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $66,039 for CUNY City College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
New York, NY
New York, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,973
12,505
Acceptance rate
4%
60%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
1070–1430
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
23–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$3,776
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$14,403
In-state tuition
$71,845
$7,340
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$15,290
Application fee
$85
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$1,251
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$2,990
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$6,811
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$9,982
Over $110k
$50,621
$12,806
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
56%
Freshman retention
98%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$46,435
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$66,039
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$11,990
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
61%
First-generation students
25%
46%
International students
20%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 1
Feb 1
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College harder to get into?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 60% at CUNY City College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College?
- CUNY City College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $3,776 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY City College?
- Before aid, CUNY City College costs about $14,403 a year and Columbia University in the City of New York about $89,472. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College?
- CUNY City College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,251 there, against about $4,570 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College?
- CUNY City College is the larger of the two, with about 12,505 undergraduates against 8,973 at Columbia University in the City of New York.
- Does Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 56% at CUNY City College.
- Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY City College earn more?
- Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,491 ten years after enrolling, against about $66,039 for CUNY City College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY City College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. CUNY City College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY City College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1070–1430 at CUNY City College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Columbia University in the City of New York vs Binghamton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York vs University of RochesterColumbia University in the City of New York vs Marist UniversityCUNY City College vs Binghamton UniversityCUNY City College vs University of RochesterCUNY City College vs Marist University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school