Columbia College vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Columbia College vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Messenger 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 Messenger College ($21,530 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 28.2% lower than at Messenger College ($9,552 vs. $13,305).
• Columbia College is 122.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $14,206 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.3% higher at Columbia College than at Messenger College (about $14,206 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Messenger College (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 303.1% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($15,882 vs. $3,940).

Columbia College vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Messenger College (2.9).

Columbia College vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Messenger 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Messenger College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.