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Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons vs Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Compare Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine on admissions stats, cost, career outcomes, and training focus. Use the fit calculator below for reach/target tiers, then build your full list in Pre-Med OS.
| Metric | Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Location | New York, NY | Scranton, PA |
| Acceptance rate | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Average GPA | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Average MCAT | 522 | 522 |
| Tuition (in-state) | $77,585 | $65,494 |
| Tuition (OOS) | $77,585 | $72,448 |
| Application deadline | 2026-10-15 | 2026-12-15 |
| First-year class size | 138 | 124 |
| Campus type | Urban | Urban |
| Research rank | N/A | N/A |
| Primary care rank | N/A | N/A |
| Type | MD · Private | MD · Private |
AI Comparison Summary
🏆 Easier Admission
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
1.8%
🏆 Lower Cost
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
$72,448
🏆 Better for Out-of-State Students
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
How Competitive Are You?
Compare your GPA, MCAT, and experiences against both schools in this matchup.
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Can You Reach Columbia University's Average MCAT?
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
522
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
522
Class averages range from 522 to 522. Practice with 10,000+ MCAT questions to close the gap.
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Cost of Attendance
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Tuition
- $77,585
- Living expenses
- $27,155
- Estimated housing
- $14,935
- Estimated transportation
- $2,400
- Total cost of attendance
- $184,725
Monthly rent estimate · New York
Varies in New York
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
- Tuition
- $72,448
- Living expenses
- $25,357
- Estimated housing
- $13,946
- Estimated transportation
- $2,400
- Total cost of attendance
- $165,699
Monthly rent estimate · Scranton
Varies in Scranton
Career Outcomes
| Metric | Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Residency match rate | N/A | N/A |
| Average student debt | ~$77,585 COA | ~$72,448 COA |
| Research funding | N/A | N/A |
| NIH / research grants | N/A | N/A |
| Primary care placement | N/A | N/A |
| Specialty placement | N/A | N/A |
| Student–faculty ratio | ~12:1 est. | ~10:1 est. |
| Step exam performance | N/A | N/A |
| Board pass rates | N/A | N/A |
School fit recommendation
Choose Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons if…
- ✓Relatively higher acceptance rate
Choose Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine if…
- ✓Lower out-of-state tuition
- ✓Smaller incoming class size
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Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons or Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine harder to get into?+
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has a lower acceptance rate in our data.
Which school is better for research?+
Research rank: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons N/A vs Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine N/A.
Which school is more affordable?+
Estimated total COA: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons $184,725 vs Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine $165,699. Monthly rent near campus: Varies in New York vs Varies in Scranton.
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