The Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Columbia College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • Columbia College Columbia, MO
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • Columbia College 5,689
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • Columbia College Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • Columbia College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Columbia College $25,826
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Columbia College $25,826
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • Columbia College $9,552
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • Columbia College $21,530
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • Columbia College $15,882
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • Columbia College 91%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • The Catholic University of America Calculate
  • Columbia College Calculate
  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • Columbia College -
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • Columbia College -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • Columbia College Open
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • Columbia College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • Columbia College 3.59
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • Columbia College A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Columbia College
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • Columbia College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • Columbia College 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Columbia College
    • Business (42%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Human Services (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • Columbia College 39%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • Columbia College $41,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • Columbia College 40%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • Columbia College $22,034
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • Columbia College $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • Columbia College 41%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • Columbia College 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • Columbia College High
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Columbia College No
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • Columbia College 55%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • Columbia College 1%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Columbia College 25%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • Columbia College 8%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Columbia College 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Columbia College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Columbia College 3%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Columbia College 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • Columbia College 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • Columbia College 63%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • Columbia College 37%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Columbia College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Columbia College No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Columbia College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Columbia College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Columbia College No
  • Learn More
  • The Catholic University of America Details
  • Columbia College Details

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than The Catholic University of America based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Columbia College 20:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 Columbia College than The Catholic University of America ($21,530 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 47.5% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($9,552 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 126% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $32,552 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $25,826.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 126% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Columbia College (about $32,552 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $25,826.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Columbia College (99% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 168.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($42,657 vs. $15,882).

The Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America.

  • Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at The Catholic University of America (3.52).

The Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America 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).

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,072 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($22,034 vs. $26,106).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($227 vs. $269).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.