College comparison

Columbia vs MIT

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	Columbia New York, NY	MIT Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rateColumbia University in the City of New York is more selective	4%	5%
SAT (25–75)	1510–1580	1520–1580
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	8,973	4,535
Avg net price	$21,590	$20,111
Median earnings (10 yr)MIT reports higher median earnings	$102,491	$143,372
Graduation rate	96%	96%
Median debt	$21,500	$14,768
Economic mobility	3.1%	3.4%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Private (nonprofit)

Quick answers

Is Columbia University in the City of New York or Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?

Columbia University in the City of New York is more selective: Columbia University in the City of New York's acceptance rate is approximately 4% and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's is approximately 5% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for Columbia University in the City of New York vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.