Cornell University is an Ivy League private research school in Ithaca, New York. It is among the larger Ivy League universities, with around 25,900 students. Admissions are very competitive and have an acceptance rate of around 8%. Some of its most popular majors are Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Biology, and Social Sciences. Cornell has a graduation rate of 95% in six years, and their graduates receive a median salary of around INR 97,50,000 (equivalent to the $117,900 median earnings ten years post-graduation).
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City, New York. It is marginally smaller, with a student enrollment of around 23,500. The admissions are very competitive, and they have an acceptance rate of around 3.9%. Some of the most popular majors are Economics, Political Science, Computer Science, Engineering, and History. Columbia has a six-year graduation rate of 96%, and graduating students have a median salary of around INR 1,06,50,000 (based on $128,900 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| Cornell University | Columbia University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.9 Out of 10 | 8.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 16 QS World University 2026 # 18 Times Higher Education 2026 # 14 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 20 Times Higher Education 2026 # 38 QS World University 2026 # 8 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 12 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 15 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 31 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 18 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 17 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 5 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -70 Doctorate Programs -78 | UG Programs -25 PG Programs -61 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.0 % | 4.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-720 IELTS-7.5 TOEFL-100 | GMAT-732 GRE-324 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1510 TOEFL-105 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 58586 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20800 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 44182 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 58440 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 103304 [For PG Program] |
| placement (average package) | Cornell University is one of the top private universities in Ithaca, United States. It is ranked #20 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
| Columbia University is one of the top private universities in New York City, United States. It is ranked #22 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Ranked #18 in Graduate Employability Rank Base Salaries by the following degrees:
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| application requirements | Counselor recommendation, teacher evaluation, and midyear evaluations are mandatory along with the applications. | Academic transcripts, 2-3 LORs, SOPs/ Essays, Resume, School report, Standardized tests, Proof of English language proficiency, Additional requirements (work experience, interview, research proposal, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Johnson Graduate School of Management | Teachers College at Columbia University Columbia Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.7/10 Read 11 reviews | 7.2/10 Read 22 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 18 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 37 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 9 for Business by US News 2025 # 14 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 20 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | #1535 Applicants # 282 Admissions # 18 % Acceptance Rate | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 135/160GMAT - 732/800GRE - 324/340IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| Admission Criteria/Better to Have |
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| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -119994 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -137571 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 17, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline) Jan 8, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline) Jan 23, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) Apr 7, 2026 (Round 3 (final) Application Deadline) Apr 24, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) Jun 5, 2026 (Deposit & Official Documentation Deadline) | Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Feb 19, 2026 (Round 2 Interview Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake) Mar 26, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For August 2026 Intake) Mar 31, 2026 (Round 2 Final Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Round 3 Interview Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake) May 20, 2026 (Round 3 Final Decisions Date For August 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Cornell University | Columbia University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1865 | 1754 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 6:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 48% Male, 52% Female | 48% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | University has 6 campuses; Main campus is located in Ithaca, New York; Other campuses are in Roosevelt Island, Qatar, Geneva, Washington DC and Rome | Lies in the heart of NYC on Broadway and two faculties located outside Manhattan. |
| Library | 11th largest library in USA; Over 8 million printed volumes, 1 million ebooks, 120,000 periodical titles, 8.5 million microfilms and microfiches, 71,000 cubic feet of manuscripts, 500,000 other materials such as motion pictures, sound recordings, etc. | The low memorial library is a landmark. The university owns around 23 libraries scattered across the city. |
| Campus Life | Over 1,000 student organizations; awards and funding by Student and Campus Life (SCL) such as Cornell Commitment, Public Service Center, Cornell Career Services, Merrill Presidential Scholars Program, etc. | Art Gallery The university offers it all!!! |
| Hostel | #Triple Room - $11312 #Double Room - $12296 #Single Room - $13246 | - |
| Famous Alumni | Tsai Ing-wen (first female president of Taiwan), David Starr Jordan (founding president of Stanford University), Ratan Tata (CEO of Tata Group), Toni Morrison (Nobel laureate), Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize winner) | Barak Obama (Former US President), Alexander Hamilton (founding father of USA), Alicia Keys (singer), Sara Ali Khan (actress), Dorothy Irene Height (Women rights activist), Jake Gyllenhall (actor). |
| City Life | New York was ranked 34th in USA for economic growth and contributes over 8% to GDP. Financial activities, professional & business services, transportation, trade & utilities are the top contributors. |
Total international students in NY- 11% |
| Weather |
Cornell University vs Columbia University
Subject Global Strength & Rankings (2025/2026)
Cornell and Columbia are both Ivy League members and are among the best universities in the world. In QS World University Rankings 2026, Columbia is at approximately 38th position worldwide, with Cornell ranking slightly below at approximately 16th.There are specific strengths of Columbia in humanities, social sciences, journalism, law, and finance, with very good global recognition because of its presence in New York City.Cornell is well known for its engineering, agriculture, computer science, hotel administration, architecture, and life sciences, indicative of its land-grant roots and wide professional emphasis.
General Information
Cornell University is situated in Ithaca, New York, and it's one of the few Ivy League institutions with a land-grant mission, combining liberal arts and professional programs. It boasts a student enrollment of approximately 25,500, with over 15,000 undergraduates. Cornell operates several campuses, including its primary Ithaca campus and the Cornell Tech campus in New York City.Columbia University, in Manhattan, New York City, has an enrollment of around 36,000, with approximately 9,000 undergraduates. Its urban setting melds students with NYC's cultural, financial, and professional opportunities, conferring on Columbia strong global and metropolitan presence.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both schools are highly competitive. Columbia has an acceptance rate of approximately 3.9% and is considered to be one of the most selective colleges in the U.S. Cornell is a bit less selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 8%, but nonetheless highly competitive. Both demand superior academic performance, standardized test scores (if taken), and excellent extracurricular profiles.
Research Impact & Facilities
Cornell is most famous for its STEM and applied studies, especially in veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture, and computer science, enabled by vast laboratories, research farms, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Columbia, as a large urban research university, has internationally known centers for humanities, social sciences, medicine, and journalism. Its collaborations with NYC industries and institutions reinforce its impact on research, particularly in finance, policy, and law.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Columbia's presence in New York City provides students with unparalleled exposure to finance, consulting, media, and international organizations, making it particularly well-suited for careers in business, law, journalism, and public policy. Its alumni include U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, CEOs, and world leaders.
Cornell graduates excel in STEM subjects, business, agriculture, hospitality, and architecture, all of which are helped by a wide pool of alumni. Specialized career paths exist through the Cornell Hotel School and Cornell Tech programs. Famous alumni in technology, science, politics, and business come from Cornell.
