GSU vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Governors State University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GSU or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Central OKWU
Governors State University vs. Columbia College comparison
Governors State University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 GSU Columbia College
Location University Park, IL Columbia, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 4,427 6,046
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu ccis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $24,326
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $24,326
Room & Board $11,000 $8,670
Avg Net Price $9,833 $22,824
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $13,725
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 GSU Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 -
Admitted 1,072 -
Acceptance Rate 57.5% Open
Enrolled % 29.5% Open
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.59
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 830/1060
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 GSU Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (4%)

Outcomes

 GSU Columbia College
Graduation Rate - 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $22,034
Median Loan Payment $178 $227

Diversity

 GSU Columbia College
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 36% 55%
% Black 38% 25%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 9% 5%

Students

 GSU Columbia College
% In-State 95% 56%
% Out-of-State 3% 42%

Campus

 GSU Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (6,046 students vs. 4,427 students)

GSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Columbia College?

  • Columbia College is 223.8% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($24,326.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.9% higher at Columbia College than Governors State University ($24,326.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Columbia College ($9,833 vs. $22,824)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.9% lower than costs at Governors State University ($8,670 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University than Columbia College (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 14.5% larger than aid received Governors State University ($13,725 vs. $11,987)

Which college is harder to get into, GSU or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or GSU .

  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Columbia College (3.59)

GSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and GSU.

  • Graduates from Governors State University earn on average $800 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $41,800)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $4,784 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($17,250 vs. $22,034)
  • GSU graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($178 vs. $227)
  • More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/