AASU vs. Columbus State

Should I go to Armstrong State University or Columbus State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AASU or Columbus State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Armstrong State University vs. Columbus State University comparison
Armstrong State University Columbus State University College 3 College 4
Armstrong State University Columbus State University
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Overview

 AASU Columbus State
Location Savannah, GA Columbus, GA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,041 7,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website armstrong.edu columbusstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AASU Columbus State
Tuition (In State) $3,965 $4,371
Tuition (Out of State) $14,426 $15,425
Room & Board $10,176 $12,080
Avg Net Price $12,404 $12,902
Avg Grant Aid $6,960 $9,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 98%

Admission

 AASU Columbus State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 3,870
Admitted - 3,398
Acceptance Rate 87.8%
Enrolled % 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.07
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

 AASU Columbus State
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

 AASU Columbus State
Graduation Rate 32% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $219 $268

Diversity

 AASU Columbus State
% Men 0% 40%
% Women 0% 60%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 51%
% Black 25% 37%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 AASU Columbus State
% In-State - 92%
% Out-of-State - 5%

Campus

 AASU Columbus State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than AASU based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 7,041 students)

AASU vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AASU or Columbus State?

  • Columbus State University is 10.2% more expensive to attend than AASU for in-state tuition ($4,371.00 vs. $3,965.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.9% higher at Columbus State than Armstrong State University ($15,425.00 vs. $14,426.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Armstrong State University than Columbus State ($12,404 vs. $12,902)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Armstrong State University are 18.7% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,176 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Armstrong State University (98% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 31.4% larger than aid received Armstrong State University ($9,147 vs. $6,960)

Which college is harder to get into, AASU or Columbus State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbus State or AASU .

  • The average SAT score at Armstrong State University (997) is 36 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming AASU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman AASU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Columbus State (3.07)

AASU vs. Columbus State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AASU or Columbus State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbus State and AASU .

  • The graduation rate at AASU is higher than Columbus State University (32% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Armstrong State University earn on average $5,000 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Armstrong State University students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($21,250 vs. $26,000)
  • AASU graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($219 vs. $268)
  • More AASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/