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Columbia University vs University of Pennsylvania
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%4.9%
Early decision rate14%13.3%
SAT middle 50%1510–1560~1510–1570
ACT middle 50%34–3534–35
Applicant reports on our site1,1431,224
Cost and aid
Tuition$72,800$65,670
Food and housing$19,650—
Sticker price per year$96,610—
Average need-based grant$78,198$70,867
Average % of need met100%100%
Outcomes
First-year retention98%98.6%
6-year graduation rate96%96.9%
Undergraduates9,2859,989
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 University of Pennsylvania?
Is Columbia University harder to get into than University of Pennsylvania?
They are about equally selective: Columbia University admitted 4.9% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and University of Pennsylvania admitted 4.9% (2025-26).
What SAT scores do Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania students have?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560 at Columbia University and about 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania.
Does Columbia University or University of Pennsylvania have a higher graduation rate?
96% of Columbia University students graduate within six years, compared with 96.9% at University of Pennsylvania.
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