Columbia University in the City of New York vs Empire State University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY, and Empire State University is a public university in Saratoga Springs, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 66% at Empire State University. Empire State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,676 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 34% at Empire State University. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $54,080 for Empire State University.
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 Empire State University 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 66% at Empire State University. 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 Empire State University?
- Empire State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,676 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 Empire State University?
- Before aid, Empire State University costs about $19,699 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 Empire State University?
- Columbia University in the City of New York. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,570 there, against about $8,989 at Empire State University. 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 Empire State University?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is the larger of the two, with about 8,973 undergraduates against 7,585 at Empire State University.
- Does Columbia University in the City of New York or Empire State University have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 34% at Empire State University.
- Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or Empire State University 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 $54,080 for Empire State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
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