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Princeton vs Columbia

Princeton students with aid paid less on average: $7,815 vs $15,370 a year.

Highlighted = the better number: lower price or debt, higher rate or pay.

Getting in
MeasurePrinceton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York
Admit rate 4.4% 4.9%
SAT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%) 1490–1560 1510–1560
ACT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%) 34–35 34–35
SAT or ACT for fall 2027 Optional Optional
Next deadline Not checked yet Regular decision: Jan 1
Cost
MeasurePrinceton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York
Sticker price per year $87,888 $92,198
Average paid after grants $7,815 $15,370
What families with aid paid, by income
MeasurePrinceton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York
Under $30,000 — $2,275
$30,000–$48,000 $795 $4,020
$48,000–$75,000 $1,346 $4,878
$75,000–$110,000 $4,761 $8,881
Over $110,000 $38,927 $40,931
After you start
MeasurePrinceton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York
Undergrads 5,709 8,973
Graduate within 6 years 97% 95%
Come back for year two 98% 98%
Median earnings 10 years after starting $133,523 $109,430
Median debt at graduation $12,400 $20,500

Highlighted only when the gap is at least 5%. "Average paid" is what students who got federal aid paid per year after grants, not a price quote. How we get our numbers

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