Columbia College vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

Columbia College vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary than Columbia College ($17,078 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 4.9% lower than at Columbia College ($9,084 vs. $9,552).
• Columbia College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Saint Mary (about $1,316 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Columbia College than at College of Saint Mary (about $1,316 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Mary than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Mary students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($18,847 vs. $15,882).

Columbia College vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary and Columbia College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4).

Columbia College vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and College of Saint Mary? 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.

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $500 more per year than College of Saint Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $3,966 lower median loan debt than College of Saint Mary graduates ($22,034 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of Saint Mary graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More College of Saint Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.