Columbia University in the City of New York vs CUNY Queens College
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY, and CUNY Queens College is a public college in Queens, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 64% at CUNY Queens College. CUNY Queens College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $4,195 a year against $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 Queens College. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $62,763 for CUNY Queens College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
New York, NY
Queens, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,973
12,550
Acceptance rate
4%
64%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.45–3.95
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
1010–1290
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
22–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$4,195
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$14,367
In-state tuition
$71,845
$7,538
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$15,488
Application fee
$85
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$1,541
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$3,133
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$6,785
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$9,110
Over $110k
$50,621
$12,700
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
56%
Freshman retention
98%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$48,548
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$62,763
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$10,298
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
47%
First-generation students
25%
47%
International students
20%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 1
Rolling
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 Queens 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 64% at CUNY Queens 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 Queens College?
- CUNY Queens College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $4,195 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 Queens College?
- Before aid, CUNY Queens College costs about $14,367 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 Queens College?
- CUNY Queens College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,541 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 Queens College?
- CUNY Queens College is the larger of the two, with about 12,550 undergraduates against 8,973 at Columbia University in the City of New York.
- Does Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Queens 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 Queens College.
- Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Queens 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 $62,763 for CUNY Queens College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY Queens 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 Queens 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 Queens College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1010–1290 at CUNY Queens 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 Queens College vs Binghamton UniversityCUNY Queens College vs University of RochesterCUNY Queens College vs Marist University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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