Columbia College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Columbia College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stand as two of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States, each offering a unique educational experience. Columbia College, nestled in the heart of New York City, boasts a diverse student body and a strong liberal arts curriculum, while MIT, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its exceptional programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With acceptance rates of 6.1% and 4.1%, respectively, both institutions are highly selective, attracting top students from around the world. While Columbia College excels in fields like economics, political science, and English, MIT shines in computer science, engineering, and physics. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these esteemed institutions, including student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Columbia College |
![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Columbia, South Carolina | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 54.0% | 99.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 98.6% | 4.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 1,278 | 33,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,260 | 1,365 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 210 | 1,177 |
Yield rate | 16.7% | 86.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $41,142 | $58,920 |
Average net price | $20,520 | $30,958 |
Tuition | $20,080 | $55,510 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,120
Meal plan:
$4,200
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Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $13,663 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
77.0%
Average amount $6,081 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $10,833 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,065
Men 15.2% Women 84.8% |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
Graduate students |
324
Men 12.7% Women 87.3% |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 15.0% | N/A |
International students | 0.6% | 29.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 618 | 6,280 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina Georgia Florida North Carolina Alabama | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.4% | 96.2% |
Dropout rate | 16.3% | 3.0% |
Transferred out | 29.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Behavioral Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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