Columbus State vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus State University is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

Columbus State vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or ESU ? 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 Columbus State University than ESU ($12,420 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 6.6% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,950 vs. $11,720).
• Emporia State University is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $1,208 more per year; $7,106.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Columbus State than at Emporia State University (about $2,191 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Columbus State University (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 51.3% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($9,003 vs. $5,951).

Columbus State vs. ESU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or ESU ? 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 ESU and Columbus State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; ESU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than ESU (97.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 22.9% at ESU .

Columbus State vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and ESU ? 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $6,581 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($19,419 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More ESU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.