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GS Georgia State University of West Georgia KSU VSU Clayton State University TROY Albany State University ASU Lander University Georgia Southwestern Morehouse| Columbus State University | Watkins College of Art Design & Film | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Nashville, TN | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 193 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | watkins.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $22,800 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $22,800 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $11,000 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 0% |
Admission |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | - | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | |||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.33 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | |||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 7:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $38,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 47% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $279 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 69% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 15% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 24% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | Watkins Institute | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbus State University is larger than than Watkins Institute based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 193 students)
Columbus State vs. Watkins Institute Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Watkins Institute?
- Watkins College of Art Design & Film is 421.6% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($22,800.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 47.8% higher at Watkins Institute than Columbus State University ($22,800.00 vs. $15,425.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Watkins College of Art Design & Film are 9.8% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($11,000 vs. $12,080)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (98% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is ?% larger than aid received Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($9,147 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Watkins Institute? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Watkins Institute or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Watkins College of Art Design & Film (1003) is 42 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming Watkins Institute students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman Watkins Institute students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
Columbus State vs. Watkins Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or Watkins Institute? 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 Watkins Institute and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at Watkins Institute is higher than Columbus State University (37% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Watkins College of Art Design & Film earn on average $1,300 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($38,700 vs. $37,400)
- Columbus State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Watkins Institute graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
- Columbus State graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Watkins Institute graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
- More Watkins Institute graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/