Columbus State vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 7,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Minnesota State University Mankato is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1.

Columbus State vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($12,420 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 5.6% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($11,720 vs. $12,420).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is 62.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $3,674 more per year; $9,572.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Minnesota State University-Mankato than at Columbus State University (about $1,332 more per year; $18,942.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at Minnesota State University Mankato (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 69.1% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($9,003 vs. $5,325).

Columbus State vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato and Columbus State.

• Incoming Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at 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; Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota State University-Mankato students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Minnesota State University-Mankato (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Columbus State vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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).

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Mankato graduates have a $3,425 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($22,575 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($233 vs. $268).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.