Loras College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, IA with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loras College 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Loras College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras College 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 Columbia College than Loras College ($21,530 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 13.2% lower than at Loras College ($9,552 vs. $11,000).
• Loras College is 54.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $13,998 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at Loras College than at Columbia College (about $13,998 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 81.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($28,835 vs. $15,882).

Loras College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras College 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 Loras College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Loras College (3.48).

Loras College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras College 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).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,966 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.