Battle of the IVYs: Columbia Vs. Harvard

Columbia University and Harvard University are two of the most prestigious universities in the world, known for their academic excellence and rich history. Columbia University is ranked #6 and Harvard University is ranked #2 in the National University ranking. Both schools offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and attract top students from all over the globe. However, there are some key differences between the two schools that may make one a better fit for you than the other.

Now the question arises,

Who ranks better, Columbia or Harvard?

Columbia University Ranking

In terms of global universities, Columbia University routinely ranks among the best. Here are some of the top-ranking systems where they stand:

• Times Higher Education World University Rankings: In the 2023 edition, Columbia University was ranked 11th globally.
• QS World University Rankings: In the 2023 edition, Columbia University was ranked 22nd globally.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): In the 2022 edition, Columbia University was ranked 8th globally.
• U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings: In the 2023 edition, Columbia University was ranked 18th globally.

Harvard University Rankings

Among the best colleges in the world, Harvard University is frequently listed. Here are some of the ranks it received in the most well-known rating systems:

• US News & World Report’s 2022–2023 edition of Best Colleges: Harvard is ranked #1 in the world and #2 in the United States 
• QS World University Rankings for 2024: Harvard stands as the top #4 university in the world
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking) for 2023: Harvard is placed #1 worldwide.

What are the chances of getting into Columbia vs. Harvard?

Harvard and Columbia are both highly selective schools, but Harvard has a slightly lower acceptance rate than Columbia, making it slightly more difficult to get into. However, both schools are highly competitive, and admission to either school is a significant accomplishment. They are also both very diverse schools, but Columbia has a higher percentage of international students and students of color.

Columbia’s wit or Harvard’s academia?

Deciding if Columbia has the best to offer you academically or Harvard is a complex decision that depends on a number of factors, including your specific academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences.

Both Columbia and Harvard are world-renowned universities with excellent academic programs. However, there are some key differences between the two schools.

• Columbia is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. It is also home to several top-ranked professional schools, including Columbia Law School, Columbia Business School, and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

• Harvard is known for its strong programs in the sciences and engineering. It is also home to several top-ranked professional schools, including Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Medical School.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which school has the best to offer you academically is to consider your specific academic interests. If you are interested in the arts, humanities, or social sciences, Columbia may be a better fit for you. If you are interested in the sciences or engineering, Harvard may be a better fit for you.

Fee structure for Columbia and Harvard

As you can see, the fee structure for Columbia and Harvard is very similar. Both schools are very expensive, but they also offer excellent graduate programs and financial aid to students who need it.
Here is a breakdown of the tuition fees for some specific graduate programs at Columbia and Harvard:

Columbia University Graduate Programs Tuition

Harvard University Graduate Programs Tuition

As you can see, the tuition fees for some graduate programs at Columbia and Harvard are virtually the same.

World-class infrastructure for MIT and Stanford

Both Columbia University and Harvard University have excellent infrastructure, with state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support their students and faculty. However, there are some key differences between the two schools.

Columbia University infrastructure

• Columbia’s campus is located in Manhattan, New York City, which gives students access to a wide range of cultural and recreational resources.
• Columbia has a number of new and renovated facilities, including the Jerome L. Greene Science Center, the Lenfest Center for the Arts, and the Manhattanville Campus.
• Columbia is also home to a number of world-class libraries, including the Butler Library and the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library.

Harvard University infrastructure

• Harvard’s campus is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is a vibrant college town with a rich history.
• Harvard has a number of historic buildings, as well as newer facilities, such as the Science Center, the Smith Campus Center, and the Harvard Art Museums.
• Harvard is also home to a number of world-class libraries, including the Harvard College Library and the Widener Library

Scholarships that help you at Columbia and Harvard

Both Harvard University and Columbia University offer a variety of scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. The best school for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are a strong student with limited financial resources, Harvard may be a good fit for you. If you are looking for a school with a variety of merit scholarships, Columbia may be a good fit for you.

Financial Aid Available at Columbia University

Columbia University offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for their education. These options include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.

• Grants and Scholarships: Grants and scholarships are financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Columbia University offers a variety of both institutional and private grants and scholarships. Institutional grants are awarded by the university itself, while private grants and scholarships are awarded by outside organizations.
• Loans: Loans are financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. Columbia University offers both federal and private loans. Federal loans have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.
• Work-Study: Work-study is a program that allows students to earn money to help pay for their education. Columbia University offers a variety of work-study jobs on campus and in the community.

Financial Aid Available at Columbia University Schools

Columbia University is made up of a number of different schools and colleges, each with its own financial aid programs.

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a limited number of scholarship opportunities to MA students. However, fellowships are available to certain MA schools upon admission. There are also a few current merit-based awards that are open to consideration for students accepted into master’s degrees.

• Barnard College: Barnard College only awards institutional financial aid to students with demonstrable financial need. There are no merit-based, athletic-based, or talent-based scholarships available at Barnard. Barnard will cover the entire demonstrated need of a family through grants, loans, and employment opportunities.

• Columbia Business School: Columbia Business School offers partial tuition grants to a select number of deserving individuals, both domestic and foreign. Most scholarships are need-based, but some named awards also consider merit or have other requirements set by the donor.

• Columbia Climate School: Graduate students are only eligible for a small number of grants. Also, students are urged to take advantage of the business and public sector chances for fellowships and outside support. Research assistantships are typically given to graduate students at Columbia University. However, this program aims to give undergraduates a rare chance to be actively involved in research at a high level and to gain important experience and skills for their future academic and professional careers.

• Columbia Journalism School: The Journalism School meets the needs of each student through collaboration between the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at the Journalism School and the Columbia University Student Financial Services. Almost 80% of the students receive financial aid of some kind, such as grants, loans, or scholarships, to help defray the cost of attending.

• Columbia Law School: Certain LL.M. applicants may be eligible for grants and institutional loans from Columbia. These prizes often only cover a percentage of the tuition and fee costs, which enables us to offer some sort of financial aid to more students.

• College of Dental Medicine: The Office of Student Financial Assistance & Planning administers financial aid, debt management, and financial literacy counseling for the programs of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Dental Medicine. The office is a source of information and a connection to your financing sources.

• Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science: The graduate departments of Columbia Engineering provide a comprehensive funding package, including fellowships and posts in teaching and research as relevant to the program, for students accepted to Ph.D. or MS/Ph.D. track programs. Funding packages for graduate students include a full tuition allowance, Columbia student health insurance, health fees, university services fees, support fees, and other benefits. The graduate department may also provide assistantships, fellowships, research grants, and/or assistantships.

• School of General Studies: Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities may be available to School of General Studies students. Federal, state, and commercial organizations as well as individuals may provide financial assistance. Private grants and scholarships are great sources of funding, and GS students consistently compete successfully for a wide range of award possibilities.

• School of International and Public Affairs: The SIPA Financial Assistance Office offers access to institutional, private, and public funding. The academic program should be covered by the student’s financial plan, which should be in place before the enrollment decision is made. Students often combine their own and/or family resources, student loans, and any money they may be eligible for from SIPA or outside organizations in their funding plans. For costs incurred over the summer when a student is not enrolled in classes, financial help is not offered.

• School of Nursing: The Columbia University School of Nursing provides $10 million in scholarships each year to the nursing students who exhibit high academic achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise for leadership. At Columbia Nursing, about 90% of students obtain financial aid to pay for their studies.

• College of Physicians and Surgeons, Vagelos: Many graduate medical training opportunities are available across the departments and divisions at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and the Columbia

How can Harvard help your pockets with financial aid?

Harvard University offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for their education. These options include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.

• Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
  • Fully financial support is available for Ph.D. students.
  • GSAS supports Master’s program students through early financial planning, reducing consumer debt, and exploring all available external funding opportunities.
  • Amount: $38,688 (12 months)

• Harvard Extension School: Harvard Extension School supports Master’s program students by providing a variety of loans, scholarships, and grants to explore financial assistance.

• Harvard Business School:
  • Harvard Business School offers need-based scholarships to almost 50% of MBA students, with rewards ranging from $2,500 to $76,000 per year. Last year, the average need-based scholarship was $42,000 per year or $84,000 over two years.
  • Amount: $2,500-$84,000

• Harvard Law School:
  • Grants, scholarships, and loans are the forms of financial assistance that are available for HLS students. The typical award covers roughly half of the cost of tuition; but, for a limited number of students in especially dire need, the university will also be able to provide grants that cover both the full cost of tuition and a portion of living expenses.
  • Approximately, 55% of LL.M.students receive need-based aid from or through Harvard Law School
  • Amount: $35,500 – $70,430

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:
  • Harvard Chan offers financial support based on 3 factors: Merit, Need, and Diversity. The Harvard Chan School has limited grants and scholarships and cannot fully meet each student’s financial needs.
  • Amount: $50,000

• Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS):
  • All Ph.D. students will be fully funded by the Harvard John A. Paulson School.
  • Whereas, for master’s students, financial aid is not offered.

• Harvard Graduate School of Education:
  • Candidates for the Ed.M. are eligible to receive HGSE Funds, which currently have a maximum of $20,500 for full-time students and $10,250 for part-time students.
  • Amount: $10,250-$20,500

• Harvard School of Dental Medicine: The cost of a student’s education is something that the Harvard School of Dental Medicine considers to be a shared responsibility between the student, his or her family, and the School.

• Harvard Graduate School of Design: Financial aid is available through the Harvard GSD in the form of grants, loans, and employment rewards. Depending on a student’s academic program, merit, citizenship, and financial need, different sorts of financial aid may be available.

• Harvard Divinity School: A hybrid schedule is used by the HDS Office of Financial Aid, which combines in-person and remote labor. 90% of students pursuing an MTS or MDiv get institutional financial aid.

• Harvard Kennedy School: There are a few merit-based fellowship and scholarship alternatives available to make sure that, should you be accepted to HKS, you can start your degree program with enough funding. Based on merit and need, HKS offers competitive fellowships and scholarships.

• Harvard Medical School:
  • Financial help is provided to 75% of MD students. The amount of average scholarship given each year is $52,086. The HMS scholarship funds pay for both tuition and required fees for a full-time c.
  • Amount: $52,086

What courses are best offered by Columbia and Harvard?

Both Columbia University and Harvard University offer a wide range of excellent courses, so it is difficult to say definitively which course is best. However, some courses at each school are consistently ranked among the best in the world.

Columbia University

Columbia University in New York City offers a wide range of graduate programs across various disciplines. The best courses for you will depend on your academic and career interests. Here are some of the top graduate programs and courses at Columbia University:

• Columbia Business School:
  • MBA Program: Renowned for its finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing programs.
  • Executive MBA: Ideal for mid-career professionals looking to advance their careers.

• Columbia Law School:
  • Juris Doctor (JD): A prestigious program for those interested in a legal career.
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.): For international students or those seeking specialized legal training.

• Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons:
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD): For aspiring physicians.
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD): For those pursuing a career in dentistry.

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
  • Master of Fine Arts (MFA): For aspiring artists, writers, and filmmakers.
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA): Ideal for those interested in public policy and administration.

Harvard University

Harvard University offers a wide range of graduate programs across various disciplines. The best courses for you will depend on your academic and career interests. Here are some of the top graduate programs and courses at Harvard University:

• Harvard Business School:
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA): Known for its rigorous and comprehensive business education.
  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Designed for experienced professionals seeking advanced business knowledge.

• Harvard Law School:
  • Juris Doctor (JD): A prestigious program for those interested in pursuing a legal career.
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.): For international lawyers or those seeking specialized legal training.

• Harvard Medical School:
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD): For aspiring physicians.
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD): For those pursuing a career in dentistry.

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Offered in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
  • Master of Arts (AM): For students seeking a terminal master’s degree in their field of study.

Which among MIT and Stanford has the best campus culture for you?

Whether Columbia or Harvard has the better campus culture for you depends on your individual preferences.

Columbia is known for its diverse student body and its commitment to social justice. The campus is located in New York City, which offers students access to a wide range of cultural and social opportunities. However, Columbia can also be a competitive and demanding environment.

Harvard is known for its academic excellence and its prestigious reputation. The campus is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is a vibrant and historic city. However, Harvard can also be a conservative and traditional environment.

• Columbia:
  • Diverse student body
  • Commitment to social justice
  • Located in New York City
  • A competitive and demanding environment

• Harvard:
  • Academic excellence
  • Prestigious reputation
  • Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Conservative and traditional environment

If you are looking for a diverse and socially conscious campus, Columbia may be a better fit for you. If you are looking for a prestigious and academically rigorous campus, Harvard may be a better fit for you.

Evaluating the Alumni Circuit of Columbia vs. Harvard

Columbia University has a long and distinguished history, and its alumni network includes some of the most famous and influential people in the world. Here are a few notable Columbia alumni:

• Barack Obama (44th President of the United States)
• Warren Buffett (American business magnate and investor)
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)
• Stephen Colbert (American comedian, writer, producer, and television host)
• John F. Kennedy Jr. (American lawyer, journalist, and magazine publisher)
• Amelia Earhart (American aviation pioneer and author)
• Lou Gehrig (American professional baseball first baseman)
• Allen Ginsberg (American poet, writer, and activist)

Harvard University has a long and distinguished history, and its alumni network includes some of the most famous and influential people in the world. Here is a list of some of the most notable Harvard alumni:

• John F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States)
• Theodore Roosevelt (26th President of the United States)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President of the United States)
• Bill Gates (co-founder of Microsoft)
• Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook)
• Warren Buffett (American business magnate and investor)

These are just a few of the many famous alumni of Columbia and Harvard University. They have gone on to become leaders in a wide range of fields, including business, law, medicine, government, and the arts. Their alumni network is a valuable resource for students and graduates alike, providing opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the choice between Columbia and Harvard should depend on your individual academic and personal preferences, career goals, and the specific programs or departments you are interested in. Both universities offer world-class education and opportunities, so consider visiting both campuses, speaking with current students and alumni, and carefully evaluating your priorities before making a decision. Both institutions are globally renowned for their academic excellence and diverse programs, making the choice between them dependent on your preference for city life or a more traditional college setting, along with your specific academic interests and career goals. Harvard typically has a larger undergraduate population, while Columbia may provide a more intimate classroom experience. Additionally, cost of living considerations in New York City should factor into your decision-making process.