ESU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; Columbia College 20:1.

ESU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU 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 Emporia State University than Columbia College ($16,094 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 12.8% lower than at Emporia State University ($9,552 vs. $10,950).
• Columbia College is 263.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $18,720 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.5% higher at Columbia College than at Emporia State University (about $10,407 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Columbia College (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 166.9% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($15,882 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ESU - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at ESU (3.41).

ESU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $2,615 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($19,419 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($200 vs. $227).
• More ESU 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.