Columbus State vs. Pitt State

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Pitt State based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 5,755 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Pittsburg State University is in Pittsburg, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pittsburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Pittsburg State University 14:1.

Columbus State vs. Pitt State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Pitt 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 Pitt State ($12,420 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburg State University are 12.7% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,234 vs. $11,720).
• Pittsburg State University is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $2,502 more per year; $8,400.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Pitt State than at Columbus State University (about $2,134 more per year; $19,744.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at Pittsburg State University (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($9,003 vs. $6,504).

Columbus State vs. Pitt State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Pitt 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 Pitt State 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; Pitt State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitt State students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Pitt State (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 31.9% at Pitt State.

Columbus State vs. Pitt State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Pitt 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).

• Pittsburg State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Pitt State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.