Columbus State vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus State University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

Columbus State vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($12,420 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 10.2% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($11,720 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 603.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $35,602 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.7% higher at Warren Wilson than at Columbus State University (about $23,890 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Columbus State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 243.1% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($30,887 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

Columbus State vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Warren Wilson? 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Warren Wilson 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.