Columbia College vs. Edgewood College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Edgewood College in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Edgewood College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 2,459 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Edgewood College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Edgewood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Edgewood College 15:1.

Columbia College vs. Edgewood College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Edgewood 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 Edgewood College ($21,530 vs. $27,038).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 27.9% lower than at Edgewood College ($9,552 vs. $13,250).
• Edgewood College is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $10,034 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at Edgewood College than at Columbia College (about $10,034 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Edgewood College than at Columbia College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Edgewood College students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,885 vs. $15,882).

Columbia College vs. Edgewood College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Edgewood 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 Edgewood College and Columbia College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Edgewood College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Edgewood College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Edgewood College (3.5).

Columbia College vs. Edgewood College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Edgewood 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).

• Edgewood College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Edgewood College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $3,466 lower median loan debt than Edgewood College graduates ($22,034 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Edgewood College graduates ($227 vs. $263).
• More Edgewood College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.