Columbia College vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

Columbia College vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or WSC? 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 Wayne State College than Columbia College ($16,060 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 5.8% lower than at Wayne State College ($9,552 vs. $10,142).
• Columbia College is 214.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $17,610 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 214.3% higher at Columbia College than at Wayne State College (about $17,610 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State College than at Columbia College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 143.7% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($15,882 vs. $6,517).

Columbia College vs. WSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or WSC? 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 WSC 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; WSC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WSC (3.36).

Columbia College vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and WSC? 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).

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $1,984 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,050 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($207 vs. $227).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.