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Columbia University in the City of New York vs State University of New York at Cortland

Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY. State University of New York at Cortland is a public university in Cortland, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York admits about 4% of applicants and State University of New York at Cortland 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 $21,590 a year at Columbia University in the City of New York after aid, and about $22,345 at State University of New York at Cortland. About 96% of students graduate at Columbia University in the City of New York, compared with 68% at State University of New York at Cortland. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $60,236 for State University of New York at Cortland.

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

State University of New York at Cortland

Cortland, NY · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
New York, NY
Cortland, NY
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
8,973
5,901
Acceptance rate
4%
60%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.46–3.96
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
1090–1240
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
22–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$22,345
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$28,108
In-state tuition
$71,845
$8,874
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$18,784
Application fee
$85
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$12,550
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$16,453
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$20,102
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$21,636
Over $110k
$50,621
$25,853
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
68%
Freshman retention
98%
81%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$46,535
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$60,236
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
27%
First-generation students
25%
27%
International students
20%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia University in the City of New York or State University of New York at Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland. 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 State University of New York at Cortland?
Columbia University in the City of New York is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,590 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,345 at State University of New York at Cortland. 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 State University of New York at Cortland?
Before aid, State University of New York at Cortland costs about $28,108 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 State University of New York at Cortland?
Columbia University in the City of New York. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,570 there, against about $12,550 at State University of New York at Cortland. 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 State University of New York at Cortland?
Columbia University in the City of New York is the larger of the two, with about 8,973 undergraduates against 5,901 at State University of New York at Cortland.
Does Columbia University in the City of New York or State University of New York at Cortland have a better graduation rate?
Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 68% at State University of New York at Cortland.
Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or State University of New York at Cortland 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 $60,236 for State University of New York at Cortland. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Columbia University in the City of New York and State University of New York at Cortland 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. State University of New York at Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1090–1240 at State University of New York at Cortland. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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