Marian vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, IN with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 3,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Marian vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian 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 Marian ($21,530 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 31% lower than at Marian University ($9,552 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 57.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $14,838 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Marian than at Columbia College (about $14,838 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marian University than at Columbia College (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 103.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($32,351 vs. $15,882).

Marian vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian 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 Marian.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Marian (3.56).

Marian vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 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 Marian graduates ($22,034 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.