Head-to-Head Comparison
Columbia University in the City of New York vs Georgetown University
- Columbia City Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 14
- Georgetown Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Columbia University in the City of New York offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,590 vs Georgetown University's $40,815, Columbia University in the City of New York delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Columbia University in the City of New York benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,491 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Columbia City
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,590, roughly $19,225 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 4% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Columbia University
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Columbia City graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (27% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Georgetown University over Columbia University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $102,491.
Pick Columbia University over Georgetown University. Net price $21,590 vs $40,815.
Pick Columbia University over Georgetown University. 3.1% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Columbia University and Georgetown University are close on paper, but Columbia University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Columbia University is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,553 to 1,487.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Columbia University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Columbia University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,590, about $19,225 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $76,900 before any change in aid. Choosing Columbia University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $102,491 at Columbia University. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Columbia University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.1%; at Georgetown University, it is 1.9%. Columbia University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Columbia University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Columbia University to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Columbia University saves about $19,225 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $1,003 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Columbia University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, while Georgetown University leans toward Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,500, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Columbia University has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Columbia University's $21,590.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Georgetown University's enrollment, and Columbia University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Columbia City holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Columbia City offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Columbia City, where only about 61% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
Columbia University in the City of New York is an excellent fit for ambitious students who are ready to dive deep into their studies. With an acceptance rate of just 4%, it attracts driven individuals who excel academically. Students here often focus on top programs such as Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, and English & Literature. The tight-knit community and diverse course offerings create an environment where students can thrive.
Life after graduation looks promising for Columbia alumni, with a ten-year earnings average of $102,491. This figure indicates the long-term financial benefits of attending this university. Graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce and often find themselves in positions that allow for upward mobility. The high graduation rate of 96% suggests that most students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of the support and resources available.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Columbia, the net price after aid is approximately $21,590, which is quite manageable given the high earning potential. With a median debt of $21,500, most graduates come out with a reasonable financial burden. The combination of these factors, along with the strong academic environment, tends to attract students who are not only academically talented but also motivated to make the most of their educational experience.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Columbia University in the City of New York is featured on the Best Computer Science Colleges in New York ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 27% of Columbia City's student body and 36% of Georgetown's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Columbia City) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Columbia University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, while Georgetown University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Columbia University or Georgetown University?
Columbia University is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Columbia University or Georgetown University?
Columbia University is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,590 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Columbia University or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $102,491 at Columbia University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Columbia University or Georgetown University?
Columbia University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Columbia University vs Georgetown University: which is better for social mobility?
Columbia University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.1% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Columbia University or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Columbia University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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