Columbus State vs. SUNO

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA with Southern University at New Orleans in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus State University is larger than SUNO based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 2,468 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Southern University at New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern University at New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Southern University at New Orleans 13:1.

Columbus State vs. SUNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or SUNO? 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 SUNO ($12,420 vs. $14,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University at New Orleans are 3.3% lower than at Columbus State University ($11,337 vs. $11,720).
• Southern University at New Orleans is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $2,156 more per year; $8,054.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Columbus State than at Southern University at New Orleans (about $656 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $16,954.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University as at Southern University at New Orleans (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern University at New Orleans students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($11,231 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. SUNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern University at New Orleans (940) is 10 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at SUNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Southern University at New Orleans 820/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Southern University at New Orleans 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; SUNO - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; SUNO Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbus State students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.07) than students at SUNO (2.4).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than SUNO (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 3.2% at SUNO.

Columbus State vs. SUNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than SUNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern University at New Orleans graduates have a $1,652 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($24,348 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNO graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($251 vs. $268).
• More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNO students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 22%)

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.