Side-by-side
Columbia University in the City of New York vs University at Buffalo
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same u setting in the Northeast, but more selective (4% vs 74%) — a stretch target if University at Buffalo is already on your list.
| Columbia University in the City of New York | University at Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 4% | 74% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $71,845 | $10,936 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $71,845 | $31,536 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $71,845 | $10,936 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $71,845 | $31,536 |
| Graduation rate | 96% | 74% |
| Total enrollment | 8,973 | 20,112 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-vs-university-at-buffalo.