Columbia College vs. Peru State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Peru State College in Peru, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Peru State College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 1,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Peru State College is in Peru, NE (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Peru State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Peru State College 17:1.

Columbia College vs. Peru State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Peru State 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 Peru State College than Columbia College ($11,915 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 8.7% lower than at Peru State College ($9,552 vs. $10,464).
• Columbia College is 198.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peru State College (about $17,186 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 198.9% higher at Columbia College than at Peru State College (about $17,186 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peru State College than at Columbia College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Peru State College students ($15,882 vs. $10,363).

Columbia College vs. Peru State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Peru State 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 Peru State 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; Peru State College - Open admission.

Columbia College vs. Peru State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Peru State 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 Peru State College's (26%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Peru State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Peru State College graduates have a $1,059 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,975 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, Peru State College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($216 vs. $227).
• More Peru State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.