Columbus State vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus State University is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Columbus State vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside than Columbus State ($10,234 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 25.3% lower than at Columbus State University ($8,750 vs. $11,720).
• University of Wisconsin Parkside is 40.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $2,372 more per year; $8,270.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Columbus State than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $181 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (89% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 18.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($9,003 vs. $7,598).

Columbus State vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Parkside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 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; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Columbus State vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $3,035 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($22,965 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.