.jpg?h=35&w=35&mode=stretch)
| Updated On - Sep 8, 2025
Columbia University is a private Ivy League university in the New York City area, within the Manhattan metropolitan area. It is a large private institution with around 35,279 students, both graduates and undergraduates. Admissions are highly selective, with around 3.9% of applicants accepted. Social Sciences, English Literature, History, Engineering, and Health Professions are top majors. Columbia has a graduation rate of 93% over six years, and its alumni have a median salary of around INR 89,00,000 (from $107,600 median salaries ten years post-graduation).
Stanford University is a highly rated private research university in Stanford, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a medium-sized college with approximately 18,446 students. Applications are very competitive, with an acceptance rate of roughly 3.9%. Popular majors are Engineering, Computer Science, Social Sciences, Biology, and General Studies. The graduation rate at Stanford is 96% within six years, and its alumni receive a median pay of around INR 1,01,90,000 (converted from $122,900 median income ten years after graduation).
| Columbia University | Stanford University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 8.4 Out of 10 | 9.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 38 QS World University 2026 # 8 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 18 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 3 QS World University 2026 # 3 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 6 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 18 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 17 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 5 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 2 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 3 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 1 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -25 PG Programs -61 Doctorate Programs -7 | UG Programs -48 PG Programs -37 Doctorate Programs -70 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.9 % | 3.9 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1510 TOEFL-105 | GMAT-630 IELTS-7 SAT-1450 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 58440 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 53040 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11000 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 65286 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 72420 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 33155 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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:
|
Stanford University is one of the top private universities in Stanford, United States. It is ranked #3 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Ranked #2 in Graduate Employability Rank
|
| application requirements | 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.) | Supplemental Form (for a few programs); |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Teachers College at Columbia University Columbia Business School | Stanford Graduate School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.2/10 Read 21 reviews | 8.4/10 Read 4 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 3 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 # 60 for Sciences by US News 2022 | # 2 for Statistics by QS World University 2025 # 3 for Statistics by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 134/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 99/120 | TOEFL - 89/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -48785 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -65082 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Dec 16, 2025 (The Science Ambassador Scholarship application deadline) Jan 15, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Feb 15, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Dec 3, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Columbia University | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1754 | 1885 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
| Male:Female | 52% Male, 48% Female | 50% Male, 50% Female |
| Location Facts | Lies in the heart of NYC on Broadway and two faculties located outside Manhattan. | The campus is located in the center of the San Francisco Peninsula. Settled on 8,180 acres of land, the campus is located approx. 37 miles southeast of San Francisco and approx. 20 miles northwest of San Jose. |
| Library | The low memorial library is a landmark. The university owns around 23 libraries scattered across the city. | With a network of 20 libraries, the Stanford University Library has a collection of 9.3 million volumes, nearly 300,000 rare or special books, 1.5 million e-books, 2.5 million audiovisual materials, 77,000 serials, nearly 6 million microform holdings, and thousands of other digital resources. |
| Campus Life | Art Gallery The university offers it all!!! | Campus landmarks include the Main Quad, Memorial Church, Cantor Center for Visual Arts, Bing Concert Hall, Stanford Mausoleum, Hoover Tower, Stanford University Arboretum, Green Library, 31 Club Sports, etc. There are over 625 student-organized groups to participate in, eight dining halls to experience the food on-campus, 2 museums, and 25 student affairs offices. |
| Hostel | #First-Year Residents - $11000 | #Campus Housing(Graduate) - $23535 |
| Famous Alumni | 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). | Presently, there are more than 220,000 Stanford alumni that include 83 Nobel laureates, 28 Turing Award laureates, 8 Fields Medalists, 270 Olympic medals including 139 gold medals. Larry Page (Co-founder Google); Mike Krieger (Co-founder, Instagram); Peter Thiel (Co-founder, Paypal); Gene D. Block (8th chancellor of UCLA); Derek Bok (25th president of Harvard), etc. |
| City Life |
Total international students in NY- 11% | Located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, Stanford is a census-designated place in California. You can explore various museums, the national zoo, enjoy delicacies of all kinds available at multicuisine restaurants, enjoy basketball games, national baseball games, Jazz music, waterfront near Georgetown, and more. The unemployment rate of the city is 5.1% |
| Weather |
Columbia University vs Stanford University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Stanford and Columbia are top-ranked global universities, with Stanford ranking higher than Columbia consistently. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Stanford is #3 worldwide, while Columbia is around #38. Times Higher Education 2025 ranks Stanford #6, while Columbia is #18.
In subject rankings, Stanford is unbeatable in Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, and Law, typically in the top 3 worldwide. Columbia does well in Law, Medicine, and Humanities, consistently in the top 20–30, but typically trails Stanford's STEM and entrepreneurial advantage.
General Information
Stanford University in California's Bay Area is a mid-sized private research university with approximately 18,446 students. With its wide campus and proximity to Silicon Valley, it's the epitome of innovation. Columbia University in New York City is a large Ivy League school with 35,279 students. It has a storied urban campus and close ties to media, finance, and global policy.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both universities are very competitive, with acceptance levels of approximately 3.9%. Stanford has extensive graduate programs in engineering, business, medicine, and law, while Columbia is prestigious for journalism, international affairs, and liberal arts.
Research Impact & Facilities
Stanford is home to world-class research facilities such as SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and excels in AI, biotech, and sustainability. Columbia has a robust research focus on urban policy, climate science, and global health through its Ivy League funding and access to New York.
Cost & Financial Aid
Stanford's undergraduate fee is approximately $61,731, whereas Columbia's is slightly more at $65,340. Both provide liberal need-based financial assistance, with average grant aid over $64,000. Columbia's urban location may have more expensive living expenses, whereas Stanford's suburban campus provides more regulated costs.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Stanford alumni have a median ten-year-after-graduation salary of $122,900, and Columbia grads take home about $107,600. Stanford alumni flourish in technology, entrepreneurship, and academia, whereas Columbia alumni excel in media, law, finance, and public service. Stanford's Silicon Valley connections provide unparalleled startup access; Columbia's NYC presence facilitates global leadership and cultural impact.
