Columbus State vs. Georgia Southwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Georgia Southwestern State University is in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1.

Columbus State vs. Georgia Southwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Georgia Southwestern? 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 Georgia Southwestern State University than Columbus State ($11,769 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 7.4% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,850 vs. $11,720).
• Columbus State University is 13% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $678 more per year; $5,898.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Columbus State than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $1,038 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than at Columbus State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($9,104 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. Georgia Southwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southwestern State University (1000) is 70 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at Georgia Southwestern (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Georgia Southwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia Southwestern students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Georgia Southwestern (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern.

Columbus State vs. Georgia Southwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Georgia Southwestern? 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).

• Columbus State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More Georgia Southwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.