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GS KSU Georgia Southwestern Albany State University Clayton State University Georgia State ASU University of West Georgia Georgia ABAC Savannah State University TROY| Columbus State University | Valdosta State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Valdosta, GA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 10,209 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #982 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | valdosta.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $4,371 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $15,426 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $8,922 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $12,836 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $9,875 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 99% |
Admission |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 4,975 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 4,451 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 89.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 25.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.23 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 17/21 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 950/1130 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Required to be considered for admission | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2025 | Jun 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 43% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $40,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 41% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $258 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 31% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 69% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 51% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 36% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 69% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 30% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | VSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Valdosta State University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (10,209 students vs. 7,479 students)
Columbus State vs. VSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or VSU?
- Columbus State University and VSU cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($4,371.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 0% higher at VSU than Columbus State University ($15,426.00 vs. $15,425.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valdosta State University than Columbus State ($12,836 vs. $12,902)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 35.4% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($8,922 vs. $12,080)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Valdosta State University than Columbus State University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 8% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($9,875 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. VSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or VSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VSU or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Valdosta State University (993) is 32 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming VSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- VSU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Columbus State (87.8%)
Columbus State vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or VSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VSU and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at VSU is higher than Columbus State University (43% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Valdosta State University earn on average $2,900 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $37,400)
- Valdosta State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
- VSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
- More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/