Pitt State vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Pittsburg State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,755 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, KS (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Pittsburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pittsburg State University 14:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Pitt State vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt State 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 Pittsburg State University than Columbia College ($15,111 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 6.7% lower than at Pittsburg State University ($9,552 vs. $10,234).
• Columbia College is 207.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt State (about $17,426 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $8,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at Columbia College than at Pittsburg State University (about $6,082 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $19,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Pittsburg State University (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 144.2% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($15,882 vs. $6,504).

Pitt State vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt State 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 Pitt State.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt State - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Pitt State (3.4).

Pitt State vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt State 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).

• Pittsburg State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $2,034 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($206 vs. $227).
• More Pitt State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.