Columbia College vs. NEC

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with New England College in Henniker, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than NEC based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 3,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); New England College is in Henniker, NH (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New England College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; New England College 8:1.

Columbia College vs. NEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or NEC? 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 NEC ($21,530 vs. $27,398).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 45.5% lower than at New England College ($9,552 vs. $17,526).
• New England College is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $16,112 more per year; $41,938.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at NEC than at Columbia College (about $16,112 more per year; $41,938.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New England College than at Columbia College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New England College students is 102.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($32,095 vs. $15,882).

Columbia College vs. NEC Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; NEC - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at NEC (2.81).

Columbia College vs. NEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and NEC? 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 New England College's (38%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than NEC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,966 lower median loan debt than NEC graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NEC graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More NEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.