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Western Illinois University ISU Northern Illinois SIUE Southern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University Indiana State GS Georgia State Central University of West Georgia KSU| Columbus State University | Eastern Illinois University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Charleston, IL | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 8,857 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #672 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | eiu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $9,709 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $12,136 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $10,812 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $13,380 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $11,773 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 11,584 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 7,873 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 68% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 11.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.39 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | |||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 900/1120 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 59% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $43,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 59% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $23,650 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $244 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 42% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 58% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 91% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 7% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | EIU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 7,479 students)
Columbus State vs. EIU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or EIU?
- Eastern Illinois University is 122.1% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 27.1% higher at Columbus State than Eastern Illinois University ($15,425.00 vs. $12,136.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than EIU ($12,902 vs. $13,380)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 11.7% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,812 vs. $12,080)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Columbus State University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 28.7% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($11,773 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. EIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or EIU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between EIU or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Eastern Illinois University (1010) is 49 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming EIU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than EIU (68%)
Columbus State vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or EIU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between EIU and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Columbus State University (59% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $37,400)
- Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($23,650 vs. $26,000)
- EIU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($244 vs. $268)
- More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/