Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia University in the City of New York vs New York University
Compare average net price ($21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York; $37,050 at New York University), ROI score (11.87 vs 5.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($102,491 vs $82,509), and admissions selectivity (4% acceptance at Columbia University in the City of New York; 9.2% at New York University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.87 ✓ | 5.57 |
| Avg net price | $21,590 ✓ | $37,050 |
| 4-year avg net price | $86,360 ✓ | $148,200 |
| In-state tuition | $71,845 | $62,796 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $71,845 | $62,796 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $102,491 ✓ | $82,509 |
| Acceptance rate | 4% | 9.2% |
| Graduation rate | 96.1% ✓ | 87.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% ✓ | 95.8% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 8,973 | 28,663 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | 1520 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,570 ✓ | $16,977 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,275 ✓ | $14,017 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,866 ✓ | $16,862 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,782 ✓ | $32,766 |
| Family income $110k+ | $50,621 ✓ | $66,876 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York University |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 10.6% | 4.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.9% | 6% |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Economics | 3.7% | 3.2% |
| Social Work | 3.7% | 3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.2% | 3.3% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 1.3% | 4.7% |
| Law | 2.8% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Columbia University in the City of New York reports the lower average net price by $15,460 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $61,840 difference over four years ($86,360 vs $148,200).
Columbia University in the City of New York reports $19,982 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($102,491 vs $82,509). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98% at Columbia University in the City of New York and 95.8% at New York University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Columbia University in the City of New York vs New York University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Columbia University in the City of New York is cheaper — average net price $21,590 per year vs $37,050 at New York University. The annual difference of $15,460 adds up to about $61,840 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia University in the City of New York reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $102,491 vs $82,509 at New York University. The gap in the federal data is $19,982. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Columbia University in the City of New York is more selective at 4% acceptance vs 9.2% at New York University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.