EIU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Columbia College 20:1.

EIU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Columbia College? 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 Eastern Illinois University than Columbia College ($13,787 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 22.2% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($9,552 vs. $12,282).
• Columbia College is 88.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $12,147 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at Columbia College than at Eastern Illinois University (about $9,609 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Columbia College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($15,882 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and EIU.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at EIU (3.39).

EIU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Columbia College? 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,616 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,034 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($227 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 40%)

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.