Columbia College vs. Harris-Stowe State University

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Harris-Stowe State University based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Harris Stowe State University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harris Stowe State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Harris Stowe State University 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Harris-Stowe 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 Harris Stowe State University than Columbia College ($9,418 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 11% lower than at Harris Stowe State University ($9,552 vs. $10,728).
• Columbia College is 268.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harris-Stowe State University (about $18,818 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $7,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.9% higher at Columbia College than at Harris Stowe State University (about $14,186 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harris Stowe State University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Harris Stowe State University students ($15,882 vs. $12,325).

Columbia College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Harris-Stowe 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 Harris-Stowe State University and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Harris-Stowe State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04).

Columbia College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Harris-Stowe 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's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Harris Stowe State University's (8%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Harris-Stowe State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $30,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,991 lower median loan debt than Harris-Stowe State University graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,025).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harris-Stowe State University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 27%)

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.