Columbia College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 3,716 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Columbia College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Columbia College ($13,126 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 22.4% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($9,552 vs. $12,311).
• Columbia College is 150.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $15,520 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Columbia College than at Missouri Western State University (about $4,960 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Columbia College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 71.8% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($15,882 vs. $9,245).

Columbia College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or MWSU? 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 MWSU 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; MWSU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Columbia College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $216 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,818 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($225 vs. $227).
• More MWSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.