Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Fontbonne University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Fontbonne University based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Fontbonne University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fontbonne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Fontbonne University 5:1.

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Fontbonne University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 15% lower than at Fontbonne University ($9,552 vs. $11,232).
• Fontbonne University is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $2,450 more per year; $28,276.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Fontbonne University than at Columbia College (about $2,450 more per year; $28,276.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fontbonne University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fontbonne University students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,147 vs. $15,882).

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFontbonne University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Fontbonne University - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Fontbonne University (3.3).

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Fontbonne 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).

• Fontbonne University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Fontbonne University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $3,966 lower median loan debt than Fontbonne University graduates ($22,034 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fontbonne University graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More Fontbonne University 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.