Columbia University vs Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research institute in the USA while Columbia University is part of the Ivy League universities.

Overview Comparison
Columbia UniversityStanford University
Collegedunia Score8.4 Out of 109.3 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 12 US News 2024
# 17 Times Higher Education 2024
# 23 QS World University 2024
# 2 Times Higher Education 2024
# 3 US News 2024
# 5 QS World University 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
# 2 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024
# 5 for Medicine by US News 2024
# 1 for Law by US News 2024
ProgramsUG Programs -23
PG Programs -58
Doctorate Programs -7
UG Programs -53
PG Programs -41
Doctorate Programs -70
Acceptance Rate7.0 %4.8 %
Exam ScoreGMAT - 680
IELTS - 7
SAT - 1410
TOEFL - 100
GMAT - 600
IELTS - 7
SAT - 1440
TOEFL - 100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   58440
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  53040
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10416 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   73964
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  72420
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 30610 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 


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 

Bachelor (Other): $221,000 

MBA: $184,000 

Executive MBA: $181,000 

Masters in Finance: $154,000 

Executive Masters: $142,000 

Doctorate: $140,000


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);
LORs & SOPs;
Essays;
Portfolio (required for a few programs)

Campuses and B-SchoolsTeachers College at Columbia University
Columbia Business School
Stanford Graduate School of Business
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 11 reviews8.8/10 Read 3 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsColumbia UniversityStanford University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1754
1885
Student:Faculty Ratio6:1
5:1
Male:Female52% Male, 48% Female50% Male, 50% 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’


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. 
Resources in over 450 languages, Collection of 13 million volumes, 160,000 journals and other electronic resources.


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

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 - $10416
#Campus Housing(Graduate) - $21710
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%
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


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
Comparison Notes

Although Stanford University came into existence almost 100 years after Columbia University, its ranking and reputation are slightly ahead.

  • Stanford University ranked within top 5 among the world universities while Columbia University ranked within top 20 according to various ranking agencies.
  • World Reputation Ranking of Stanford University and Columbia University is 3 and 13 respectively for 2019.
  • Scores given by QS News to both these universities in most criteria is almost the same except in citations per faculty and international faculty.
  • Columbia University scored around 55 in both these categories. On the other hand, Stanford University’s score was above 90 out of 100.
  • Most of the programs at Stanford University are better ranked than Columbia University.
  • There’s not much difference between the acceptance rate and minimum score criteria and both universities are equally difficult to get into.
  • Cost of studying in both universities is also approximately the same.
  • Graduate Employability Ranking of 2020 for Stanford University is 2nd while Columbia University ranked at 21st.
  • Annual ROI of Stanford University is 1% higher than Columbia University.

Thus, based on the above points, it can be concluded that Stanford University is a better choice than Columbia University not only for academic programs but for research purposes too.