AAMU vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia Basin College is larger than AAMU based on total student enrollment (7,510 students vs. 7,295 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

AAMU vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or CBC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Basin College than AAMU ($10,656 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 1.6% lower than at Alabama A & M University ($11,222 vs. $11,402).
• Alabama A & M University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $3,469 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115% higher at AAMU than at Columbia Basin College (about $9,966 more per year; $18,634.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alabama A & M University than at Columbia Basin College (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 74.3% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($12,844 vs. $7,367).

AAMU vs. CBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or CBC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CBC and AAMU.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; CBC - Open admission.

AAMU vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and CBC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Alabama A & M University's six-year graduation rate is 32%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for CBC.
• Graduates from Columbia Basin College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $24,500 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($10,500 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $253 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($108 vs. $361).
• More CBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.