Columbia University vs Northwestern University
Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools
Getting in
Cost and aid
Outcomes
Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.
Columbia University or Northwestern University?
Is Columbia University harder to get into than Northwestern University?
Columbia University is more selective. It admitted 4.9% of first-year applicants, compared with 7.5% at Northwestern University, per each school's latest Common Data Set.
What SAT scores do Columbia University and Northwestern University students have?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560 at Columbia University and 1520–1560 at Northwestern University.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University or Northwestern University?
Before aid, Northwestern University costs about $96,003 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $96,610 at Columbia University (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $78,198 at Columbia University and $65,946 at Northwestern University.
Does Columbia University or Northwestern University have a higher graduation rate?
96% of Columbia University students graduate within six years, compared with 96% at Northwestern University.
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