Columbia vs Harvard: Choose Between Two Academic Powerhouses

Selecting between Columbia vs Harvard, the two prestigious universities, is essential, particularly if you are looking for study abroad options. 

While both colleges have great resources and programs, each offers its benefits. With an average tuition cost of $65,340 for nine months, Columbia is well known for its cutting-edge research programs. Conversely, Harvard charges an average tuition of $56,550, emphasizing leadership and critical thinking.
 

Highlights Comparison

Let’s delve into the essential aspects of the Columbia vs Harvard comparison.

Parameters	Columbia	Harvard
Type	Private - Ivy League research	Private - Ivy League
Location	New York	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Established	1754	1636
Campus Size	36 acres	5,076 acres
Popular Courses	Accounting, Business, Entrepreneurship, Executive MBA, Management, Finance, Marketing, Production/Operations, Real Estate, and Supply Chain/Logistics.	Social Sciences, Biology, Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences, History, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Psychology, Visual Arts and Performing, and English Language and Literature
Academic Affiliations	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	The New England Commission of Higher Education
International Students	14,000+	6,713
Famous Alumni	Barack Obama	Ratan Tata

Columbia vs Harvard QS Rankings 2024

Columbia	Harvard
#23	#4

Columbia vs Harvard: Acceptance Rate

When comparing two prestigious universities, such as Columbia vs Harvard, the acceptance rate plays a vital role in the decision-making process. Columbia has an acceptance rate of 4%, while Harvard has an acceptance rate of 3%.

Columbia vs Harvard: Eligibility Criteria

The prerequisites for any institution will change based on the student's preferred program. Let's examine the requirements for overseas students to be eligible at the universities below:

Columbia

1. Secondary school curricula (e.g., International Baccalaureate, Cambridge A Levels, National School curricula, etc.)
2. Conversational videos - InitialView or Vericant videos to emphasize language fluency.
3. English language proficiency test results

Harvard

1. School reports and teacher recommendations
2. Standardized test scores
3. Supplement materials

Admission Requirements for Columbia vs Harvard

The prerequisites for admission to each university are listed below:

Columbia:

1. Coalition Application on Scoir, the Common Application form, or the QuestBridge Application
   1. Autobiographical information
   2. Personal essay
   3. Student’s achievements, employment, activities, and summer activities
2. Columbia specific questions
3. Secondary school report
   1. Official high school transcript
   2. One high school counselor’s recommendation and school profile
   3. Complete midyear report
4. Two teachers recommendations
5. Application fee
6. Standardized tests
7. English proficiency test results
8. Supplementary materials - optional

Harvard:

1. Common Application or the Coalition Application - Powered by Scoir
2. Harvard College questions for common application/Coalition application Harvard supplement
3. Application fee
4. SAT or ACT
5. AP or other exam results (optional)
6. First-year students:
   1. School report and high school transcript
   2. Two teacher report
   3. Midyear school report
   4. Final school report
7. For transfer students:
   1. College/Registrar/Dean report
   2. Official college transcript
   3. Two college instructor recommendations
   4. Official high school transcript

Columbia vs Harvard: Courses and Fees

Here are the top seven courses at Columbia, along with their fees:

Columbia University:

Course Name	Fees
Undergraduate program in Economics	$68,400 (per year)
MA in Biotechnology	$38,806 (per semester)
MA in QMSS	$39,520 (per semester)
MA in Mathematical Finance	$43,602 (per semester)
MA in Economics	$41,914 (per semester)
PhD in Biological Sciences	$26,788 (per semester)
Art History and Archaeology, PhD	$26,788 (per semester)

Harvard University:

Course Name	Fees
BA in Applied Mathematics	$56,550 (per year)
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering	$55,656 (per year)
Short-term course - Digital Health	$1,600 (entire course duration)
Bachelor of Liberal Arts	$2,040 (entire course duration)
AB in Computer Science	$56,550 (per year)
Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics	$56,550 (per year)
AB in Engineering Sciences - Electrical and Computer Engineering Track	$63,624 (per year)

Scholarships Accepted by Columbia Vs Harvard

The scholarships that are offered at both colleges are as follows:

Columbia:

Columbia University scholarships are based on athletic ability, academic merit, volunteer work, or interest in any particular subject. Specific scholarships are also offered based on being a member of a certain religious or ethnic group. Besides, some organizations also offer scholarships. Students must contact their respective school’s financial aid office to learn more about it.

Harvard:

At Harvard, the university decides whether the student qualifies for the scholarship. The university will cover 100% of the finances if the student is qualified. The process of scholarship is:

• The university determines the awards by establishing parents' contribution.
• The university factors in student employment and any outside awards received.
• The remainder is paid through a grant-based scholarship, which is not to be repaid.

Cost of Studying in USA for International Students

When choosing a university, there are other costs that you may have to pay besides the tuition fee. These can be according to the course and chosen university. Some of them are:

Tuition and fees (can change based on course)	$68,400
New student fees	$645
Housing and food	$16,800
Books and personal	$3,742
Total	$89,587

Columbia vs Harvard: ROI

As per the career outcome report by Columbia, 78.5% of students were a part of the job-seeking process. Of these, 73.5% were employed with an average salary of $93,470. Similarly, in Harvard, 85% of students in class 2023 were successfully employed, with the median salary of an Ed.M. graduate being $73,000.

Columbia vs Harvard: Summary

A student’s decision to attend Columbia University or Harvard University is highly subjective and shaped by their interests, aspirations, and academic objectives. While Columbia provides a distinctive combination of urban liveliness, broad options, and hard scholarship, Harvard has a longstanding reputation for educational quality and an illustrious past.