Columbia University in the City of New York vs. Penn State University (PSU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Columbia University or Penn State University (PSU)?“
Columbia University in the City of New York
Penn State University (PSU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Columbia University in the City of New York and Penn State University (PSU). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Columbia University in the City of New York and Penn State University (PSU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Columbia University in the City of New York and Penn State University (PSU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Columbia University in the City of New York | Penn State University (PSU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $53,000 | $17,514 |
| Net Price | $21,031 | $29,226 |
| Average Financial Aid | $47,220 | $7,736 |
| Total Undergraduates | 8102 | 40179 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1380 - 1570 | 1090 - 1300 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7 | 51 |
| Location | West 116 St and Broadway | 201 Old Main |
| City Name | New York | University Park |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Columbia University in the City of New York is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between New York and University Park. Columbia University is in a Mid-Atlantic and Penn State University (PSU) is in a Mid-Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Columbia University in the City of New York or Penn State University (PSU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Columbia University in the City of New York is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Columbia University in the City of New York is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Penn State University (PSU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Columbia University Dorms Compare to housing Options at Penn State University (PSU)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Columbia University charges for on-campus living, while Penn State University (PSU) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Columbia University and Penn State University (PSU) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Columbia University in the City of New York, % | Penn State University (PSU),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 37.980000000000004 | 68.61 |
| Hispanic | 13.18 | 5.949999999999999 |
| Black | 7.64 | 4.19 |
| Foreign | 15.010000000000002 | 10.66 |
| Others | 26.2 | 10.6 |
How different is the Columbia University in the City of New York campus compared to Penn State University (PSU) campus?
The Columbia University campus is located in New York, NY and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more). The Penn State University (PSU) campus is located in University Park, PA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Columbia University provides $47,220 whereas Penn State University (PSU) provides an average of $7,736.
How does Columbia University academics compare to Penn State University (PSU)?
When analyzing academics between Columbia University in the City of New York and Penn State University (PSU) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Columbia University | Penn State University (PSU) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | 320 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 6 | 102 |
| Architecture and related services | 19 | 74 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 53 | 32 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | 831 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 181 | 956 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 327 | 1886 |
| Education | N/A | 346 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Columbia University in the City of New York or Penn State University (PSU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Columbia University and Penn State University (PSU). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Columbia University social life compare to Penn State University (PSU)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Columbia University social life differs from Penn State University (PSU).
Check here.
Check here.