UAPB vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than UAPB based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 2,005 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

UAPB vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB 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 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than Columbia College ($12,373 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 3.7% lower than at Columbia College ($9,194 vs. $9,552).
• Columbia College is 174.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAPB (about $16,414 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $9,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Columbia College than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (about $7,834 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $17,992.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at Columbia College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 45.9% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students ($15,882 vs. $10,883).

UAPB vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB 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 UAPB.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UAPB (2.9).

UAPB vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,714 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($22,034 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($227 vs. $276).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 30%)

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.