OU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, 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 OU based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ottawa University Ottawa is located in Ottawa, KS (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ottawa University Ottawa 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

OU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU 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 OU ($21,530 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($9,552 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $10,054 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at OU than at Columbia College (about $10,054 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 49.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,692 vs. $15,882).

OU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU 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 OU.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at OU (3.12).

OU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU 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).

• Ottawa University Ottawa's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ottawa University Ottawa graduates have a $159 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,875 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($226 vs. $227).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.