<p>Stanford IMHO is perhaps the finest university in the nation. Across a wider range of disciplines (arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, professions) it is top 5. No other private school can make that claim; or even comes close. Chicago, Harvard and Yale may match Stanford in the humanities and social sciences; MIT and CalTech in engineering – > but none stand as equals to S across all these areas. Berkeley has Stanford’s range of strengths, but UC is public (with it’s own consequences for your education). This matters because Stanford overall provides a more stimulating and enriching intellectual environment. And you’ll get more freedom to create/explore your own interest at Stanford than at Columbia (where the Core will limit your choices during the first two years or so of life there).</p>
<p>So, re the OP question – Columbia wasn’t in the school lists I mentioned above. While both are top schools, Stanford is decisively above Columbia in academic firepower, overall resources and prestige. </p>
<p>Stanford offers the very very best of the Ivies, but in a more relaxed and warmer environment. For big city life, San Fran offers a cleaner and less expensive version of NYC (SF is about as urbane as it gets west of the Mississippi); and it’s 45 minutes away. And Tahoe, Napa, Carmel etc are nearby too.</p>
<p>Study Abroad - Stanford offers programs all over the world as does Columbia. Either school will get you great opportunities career wise and study abroad wise. </p>
<p>My view is the race goes to the school which provides better academics and more prestige (costs being equal), and that is Stanford. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>