Columbia University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Though MIT is an unbeatable academic brand across the world, Columbia University is the third best in the country as per US News. 

Overview Comparison
Columbia UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Collegedunia Score8.4 Out of 109 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 12 US News 2024
# 17 Times Higher Education 2024
# 23 QS World University 2024
# 1 QS World University 2024
# 2 US News 2024
# 3 Times Higher Education 2024
Subject Strength# 17 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 4 for Medicine by US News 2024
# 4 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024
# 1 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 4 for Medicine by QS World University 2023
ProgramsUG Programs -23
PG Programs -58
Doctorate Programs -7
UG Programs -48
PG Programs -41
Doctorate Programs -30
Acceptance Rate7.0 %8.5 %
Exam ScoreGMAT - 680
IELTS - 7
SAT - 1410
TOEFL - 100
GRE updated - 310
IELTS - 7
PTE - 65
SAT - 1510
TOEFL - 90
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   58440
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  53040
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10416 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   57590
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  57590
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 24390 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:

Bachelor (Other):  $500,000 

Other Degree:  $280,000 

Doctorate:  $200,000 

Executive MBA:  $175,000 

MBA: $150,000 

Executive Masters:  $147,000 


#1 Graduate employability QS rankings (2020)
#3 Graduate employability THE rankings
Over 55% UG and 82% PG students enter workforce. 
Average salaries offered to baccalaureates $85,000
Average salaries offer to masters graduates $112,000 
Top recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, McKinsey & Co., Bain & Co. 


Campuses and B-SchoolsTeachers College at Columbia University
Columbia Business School
MIT Sloan School of Management
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 11 reviews-
General Facts Comparison
General FactsColumbia UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1754
1861
Student:Faculty Ratio6:1
3:1
Male:Female52% Male, 48% Female54% Male, 46% Female
Location Facts

Lies in the heart of NYC on Broadway and two faculties located outside Manhattan.
Main campus occupies more than six city blocks in Morningside Heights.
Landmark includes National Historic Landmarks, including the Philosophy Hall or ‘the site of the invention of the FM radio’


Lying between central and kendall squares across Charles River from Boston’s Back bay. Small instituition with close knit student body postioned to collaborate and contribute to neighbors


Library

The low memorial library is a landmark. The university owns around 23 libraries scattered across the city. 
Resources in over 450 languages, Collection of 13 million volumes, 160,000 journals and other electronic resources.


More than 5 million items, with over 21,000 MIT theses
478 online database
17,000 journals
55,000 electronic journals


Campus Life

Art Gallery
Theatre
Public Outdoor Sculpture
Various Cafe
St. Paul’s Chapel

The university offers it all!!!


Over 450 co-curricular organizations, Society for Women Engineers, LGTQ+ community, Black stuents union, 33 varsity sports, The Tech (student newspaper), The Byte (graduate student publication), religious organizations, around 43 sororities, fraternities and independent living groups.


Hostel#First-Year Residents - $10416
#Rooms - $10430
#Rooms - $8000
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).


85 Nobel laureates, 58 National Medal of Science Winners, 29 National Medal of Technology and Innovation Winners
Kofi Annan (Former secretary general of UN), Buzz Aldrin (former Apolo 11 astronaut & fighter pilot), Benjamin Netanyahu (Iraesli Prime Minister), Amar Gopal Bose (Owner of Bose), etc


City Life

Total international students in NY- 11%
New York houses almost 100 public libraries
800,000+ restaurants and cafes in New York
180 public parks throughout the city
Subway system- Operates 24/7, is a cost-effective, quick, and easy


Cambridge- city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts; City is part of the Boston metropolitan area; home to a huge student community; Average salaries offered within the state are up to 97,5000 USD; Famous tourist attractions: Charles River, Harvard Square, Mount Auburn Cemetery, MIT Museum, CambrdgeSide, John Harvard Statue, Sanders Theatre; Unemployment rate- 2.1% (Dec 2019)


Weather
Important Notes


Comparison Notes

Amongst the popular study abroad destinations, USA tops the list. Every international aspirant’s dream is to land into a well renowned university in USA. However, when applications for two or more universities are accepted, the choice may become difficult. For student who wish to compare Columbia University with MIT, here are some factors that you can consider while making a choice:

Why Study at MIT?

  • Indisputable global rankings
  • High ranking Engineering and Technology programs
  • Relatively higher acceptance rate.
  • Better MBA rankings
  • Better graduate employability rankings
  • Brand value
  • Lower tuition
  • Swtiching from one major to another is rather simpler. 

Why Study at Columbia University?

  • More programs offered.
  • Larger library collection
  • Lower cost of accommodation
  • Standardized test scores required for UG programs are relatively low. 
  • New York offers better salary over Massachusetts.
  • Weighted salaries offered to MBA graduates are higher than MIT as per Financial Times. 

Getting admissions to both MIT and Columbia University is equally difficult. The competitiveness of the scores and the acceptance rate lies in a close range for both the universities. 

MIT should be an obvious choice for Physics, Engineering & Technology, Mathematics aspirants. Additionally the cost of attendance at MIT is slightly lower than Columbia University. The university has a closer knit student body with excellent minds.

For Law, History, Anatomy and Physiology, Humanities aspirants, Columbia University is a better choice. As the university is located in New York City, it can be preffered and considered a better location. 

You can base your decision on all these factors and opt for the university of your choice based on the program you want to pursue, your overall budget, location choice, exam scores and other factors detailed above.