Columbia University in the City of New York vs University at Albany
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY, and University at Albany is a public university in Albany, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 69% at University at Albany. University at Albany is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $17,167 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 63% at University at Albany. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $67,979 for University at Albany.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
New York, NY
Albany, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,973
12,564
Acceptance rate
4%
69%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.48–3.98
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
1120–1320
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
22–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$17,167
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$28,802
In-state tuition
$71,845
$10,866
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$31,256
Application fee
$85
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$11,112
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$14,062
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$17,923
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$20,037
Over $110k
$50,621
$24,085
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
63%
Freshman retention
98%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$51,380
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$67,979
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
44%
First-generation students
25%
30%
International students
20%
4%
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.
- Is Columbia University in the City of New York or University at Albany 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 69% at University at Albany. 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 University at Albany?
- University at Albany is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,167 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 University at Albany?
- Before aid, University at Albany costs about $28,802 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 University at Albany?
- Columbia University in the City of New York. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,570 there, against about $11,112 at University at Albany. 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 University at Albany?
- University at Albany is the larger of the two, with about 12,564 undergraduates against 8,973 at Columbia University in the City of New York.
- Does Columbia University in the City of New York or University at Albany have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 63% at University at Albany.
- Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or University at Albany 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 $67,979 for University at Albany. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia University in the City of New York and University at Albany 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. University at Albany 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 University at Albany look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1120–1320 at University at Albany. 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 UniversityUniversity at Albany vs Binghamton UniversityUniversity at Albany vs University of RochesterUniversity at Albany vs Marist University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school