Columbia College vs. Morehead State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Morehead State University in Morehead, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Morehead State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,791 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Morehead State University is in Morehead, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Morehead State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Morehead State University 16:1.

Columbia College vs. Morehead State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Morehead State University? 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 Morehead State University than Columbia College ($9,630 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 46.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($10,994 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 240.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Morehead State University (about $24,064 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.6% higher at Columbia College than at Morehead State University (about $19,108 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $14,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Morehead State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 90.2% larger than aid received by Morehead State University students ($22,780 vs. $11,976).

Columbia College vs. Morehead State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Morehead State University? 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 Morehead State University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Morehead State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Morehead State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Morehead State University (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 18.2% at Morehead State University.

Columbia College vs. Morehead State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Morehead State University? 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Morehead State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Morehead State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $34,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Morehead State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Morehead State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Morehead State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)

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.