Columbia University Vs Northwestern University: Compare Fees, Placement, Reviews
Compare Columbia University Vs Northwestern University based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze Columbia University Vs Northwestern University on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Compare Columbia University Vs Northwestern University based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze Columbia University Vs Northwestern University on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.

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Columbia University
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Northwestern University
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern UniversityStudent Ratings
Rating of colleges
3.8/5
3.5 Internships
3.5 Part time work
4 Post study jobs
5 Quality of faculty
3.5 Student Life
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3.9/5
3 Internships
3 Part time work
4 Post study jobs
4.8 Quality of faculty
4.4 Student Life
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern UniversityCourse Comparison
5 Popular courses in colleges
Columbia University V/s Northwestern University MS
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern University MBA/PGDM
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern University M.A.
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern University LL.M.
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern University B.Sc.
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Other courses
- B.A. (55 courses)
- BBA (7 courses)
- B.E. / B.Tech (14 courses)
- M.Arch (6 courses)
- B.Arch (2 courses)
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- B.A. (35 courses)
- BBA (3 courses)
- B.E. / B.Tech (26 courses)
- Others PG (8 courses)
- MFA (3 courses)
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern UniversityCollege Comparison
About College
Established Year
1754
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
-/-
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+2 More
Established Year
1851
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
240 Acres
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+5 More
Established Year
-/-
Number of Campus
-/-
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
-/-
Accepted Exams
-/-
Columbia University V/s Northwestern UniversityCampus Comparison
Campus videos & images








































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Country Facts
Study in USA
Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program
Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
Study in USA
Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program
Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
Get a detailed view about the country. Add a college!
Student’s views on campus
Views on Columbia University campus
A
Anonymous
Computer Science Master's Degree - Vision, Graphics, Interaction and Robotics - Batch of 2026
3
Ivy League Tag does not work anymore.
Tips: No overwhelming cultural shift that I have experienced as of now. I didn't get any scholarship, they pay you nothing, no on campus jobs and even if you get any, you'll be paid peanuts. You basically take a crore rupees loan, study and work like a machine and still end up with no internship call, no certainty about jobs.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Excellent faculty, coursework, teaching and most importantly research. But don't expect to get paid for your research. They won't pay you. They'll ask you to take it for credit. All professors are great researchers and top in their domain but not all are good teachers.
Dislikes (Value for money): It's very expensive with zero or very few on campus jobs paying you peanuts. No proper career fair for internships. Uncertainty of jobs, constantly changing government regulations, disregarding all the effort and money we put to study here. Disregard for your skill and knowledge.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2125
Prepping time for classes50 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80575
N
Nithishma Allu 
MS in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
4.6
Columbia University: Fostering Brilliance and Innovation
Tips: Networking is the key. Make as many connections as possible. New York is an amazing place to be and make the most of it. There is a Shardarshish scholarship which waves 50% tuition fees and also numerous graduate research assistant roles available if interested.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The diversity of faculty is amazing with most of them graduating from the top universities. Their knowledge on the subject is remarkable and they challenge you to be better and work harder. They let you engage in projects and conduct many office hours for discussions
Dislikes (Internships): The coursework and the brand value added because of Columbia University is great which lands you in a good internship but there are comparatively fewer career fairs than other universities. The career advisors are super helpful in guiding and suggesting changes to resumes and cover letters.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1500
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 150000
A
Anonymous
MS in Data Science - Batch of 2026
3.6
Columbia is an expensive school, and the competition is very fierce.
Tips: Be mentally prepared before coming, the scholarships are rare, you need to be best at what you do. The competition is fierce, and things are not so dreamy anymore in the USA. But if you are good at it, you can make it. I am satisfied, hopefully I will get a job, and it will be easier for me.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Mostly, the faculty are adjunct faculty, giving a more practical experience. The faculty is diverse and well-rounded, and the way things are done here is different from in India. They are more concerned with practicality than with theoretical knowledge, so you need to study and prepare on your own.
Dislikes (Value for money): Columbia is an expensive school, and the competition is very fierce. Off-campus jobs don't pay well compared to the living costs. There are better private schools that offer scholarships you can attend. Brand value still matters in today's world, though.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2300
Prepping time for classes27 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 87000
Views on Northwestern University campus
A
Anonymous
Master's in Public Policy and Administration - Batch of 2025
Offered by Northwestern University
3.8
Friendly and welcoming place.
Tips: My department is big on research and academia. I learnt how to adjust to come out of the customs and societal expectations, which took a while to adjust to. Most of my classmates are international students, and my faculty advisor is very inclusive as well. Professionalism and punctuality are very important here.
Likes (Student Life): Kind, close knit people who are friendly and won't hesitate in helping if you need. I found the campus really lovely to stroll around and explore, with some of the green space being my favourite here. There are also campus pets, which make it all more pleasant.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1850
Prepping time for classes33 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 89850
A
Anonymous
Master's in Information Systems - Batch of 2026
Offered by Northwestern University
3.9
Close knit and tight community.
Tips: My classes are very fast-paced and relevant; they like to cover what is more marketable and important for students to know. You'll discover things about yourself that you never knew existed after spending some time here. I like how the courses are structured and the campus clubs have made me feel more welcome than I'd imagine.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1975
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 99100
A
Anonymous
Master of Science (MS) in Communication - Batch of 2026
Offered by Northwestern University
3.8
Great campus and faculty.
Tips: Something not a lot of people know is that Northwestern makes its education very interdisciplinary and encourages students to explore various aspects of their major, as well as areas outside of it. The student body is diverse and supportive. Public transportation is very convenient, accessible and affordable. Overall, I am quite satisfied with my experiences so far.
Dislikes (Part time work): Part-time work for international students is honestly a rarity, with few options available both on and off campus. Off-campus opportunities involve many legal hurdles, making them very tricky to obtain. You could try looking for jobs in academia or research.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1850
Prepping time for classes36 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 86750
T
Tavs 
BA/MA in Comparative Literary Studies - Batch of 2026
Offered by Northwestern University
3.9
One of a kind university; supportive and encouraging faculty.
Tips: My programme is something I chose out of passion and genuine interest. I had several options to study from, but Northwestern made the most sense. My professors have been supportive and helpful every step of the way, and their teaching has made a difference. I also have a scholarship of 8000 based on my projects, and that has made studying here easier.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1975
Prepping time for classes34 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 94475
A
Anonymous
Master of Engineering Management (MEM) - Batch of 2023
Offered by Northwestern University
3.9
Short course with very good education and hectic lifestyle
Tips: Be prepared to go through a tight schedule for the next 15 months. Make good connections with seniors well before coming to campus and learn how to network with people. I'm very satisfied with the course. All is good and I am happy.
Likes (Indian Food): There are quite a good number of restaurants of every cuisine around the campus. Korean, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Nepalese and a lot more.
I prefer cooking as it gets expensive if you eat out every day. My fav was 10q and hokkaido near the campus.
Dislikes (Student Life): It's a 15-month course. You'll be in job and intern search for 3-6 months totally together, although social life is not good, due to limited time of 9-12 months free time, it depends on person to person. There are a lot of clubs in the university you should be proactive and explore various clubs on the campus. My fav is NU Adventure.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 800
Prepping time for classes26 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 91375
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Columbia University V/s Northwestern UniversityRank Comparison
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