SCSU vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

SCSU vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or CBC? 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 Basin College than SCSU ($10,656 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 24.9% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($11,222 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 105% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $6,883 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.9% higher at SCSU than at Columbia Basin College (about $18,710 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Connecticut State University than at Columbia Basin College (78% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($9,977 vs. $7,367).

SCSU vs. CBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or CBC? 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 CBC and SCSU.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; CBC - Open admission.

SCSU vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and CBC? 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).

• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($10,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($108 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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.