Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia University in the City of New York vs Princeton University
Compare average net price ($21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York; $6,128 at Princeton University), ROI score (11.87 vs 44.90), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($102,491 vs $110,066), and admissions selectivity (4% acceptance at Columbia University in the City of New York; 4.6% at Princeton 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 | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.87 | 44.90 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,590 | $6,128 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $86,360 | $24,512 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $71,845 | $62,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $71,845 | $62,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $102,491 | $110,066 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 4% | 4.6% |
| Graduation rate | 96.1% | 97.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $10,320 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 8,973 | 5,709 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | 1553 |
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 | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,570 | $41 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,275 | $352 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,866 | $1,217 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,782 | $4,478 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $50,621 | $36,094 ✓ |
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 | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 5.1% | 10.6% |
| Economics | 3.7% | 7% |
| Public Policy Analysis | 0% | 8.8% |
| Operations Research | 2.6% | 3.8% |
| Political Science and Government | 2.1% | 4.2% |
| History | 1.2% | 5% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 1.2% | 5% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 1.3% | 4.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Princeton University reports the lower average net price by $15,462 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $61,848 difference over four years ($24,512 vs $86,360).
Princeton University reports $7,575 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($110,066 vs $102,491). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98% at Columbia University in the City of New York and 98.4% at Princeton University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 vs $10,320, 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 Princeton University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Princeton University is cheaper — average net price $6,128 per year vs $21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York. The annual difference of $15,462 adds up to about $61,848 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Princeton University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $110,066 vs $102,491 at Columbia University in the City of New York. The gap in the federal data is $7,575. 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 4.6% at Princeton 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.