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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

Acceptance rate4.9%7.5%
Early decision rate14%20.4%
SAT middle 50%1510–15601520–1560
ACT middle 50%34–3534–35
Applicant reports on our site1,1431,021

Cost and aid

Tuition$72,800$71,802
Food and housing$19,650$22,941
Sticker price per year$96,610$96,003
Average need-based grant$78,198$65,946
Average % of need met100%100%

Outcomes

First-year retention98%98%
6-year graduation rate96%96%
Undergraduates9,2859,039

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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