Columbus State vs. Georgia State

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 7,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Georgia State University is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Georgia State University 25:1.

Columbus State vs. Georgia State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Georgia State? 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 Georgia State ($12,420 vs. $16,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 12.5% lower than at Georgia State University ($11,720 vs. $13,392).
• Georgia State University is 46.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $2,766 more per year; $8,664.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at Georgia State than at Columbus State University (about $7,230 more per year; $24,840.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia State University than at Columbus State University (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia State University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($12,052 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. Georgia State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia State University (1060) is 130 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Georgia State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Columbus State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Georgia State University 940/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Georgia State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Georgia State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia State students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 22.7% at Georgia State.

Columbus State vs. Georgia State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Georgia State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Georgia State University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia State University graduates have a $2,301 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More Georgia State 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.