Columbia College vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

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

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Columbia College vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Madison 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 Madison Area Technical College than Columbia College ($13,284 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 46.2% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($9,552 vs. $17,760).
• Columbia College is 418.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $20,849 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 256% higher at Columbia College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $18,571 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Madison Area Technical College (91% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 170.5% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($15,882 vs. $5,872).

Columbia College vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Madison 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 Madison College 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; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Columbia College vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Madison 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).

• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $9,034 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($13,000 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($134 vs. $227).
• More Madison College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.