ATU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Columbia College 20:1.

ATU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or Columbia College? 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 Arkansas Tech University than Columbia College ($12,626 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 7.6% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,552 vs. $10,338).
• Columbia College is 197.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $17,152 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.1% higher at Columbia College than at Arkansas Tech University (about $11,158 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at Columbia College (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($15,882 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and ATU.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at ATU (3.37).

ATU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,284 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($183 vs. $227).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 40%)

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.