Central vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Missouri 18:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Central vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 Central Missouri than Columbia College ($14,943 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 11.1% lower than at University of Central Missouri ($9,552 vs. $10,740).
• Columbia College is 157% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $15,776 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at Columbia College than at University of Central Missouri (about $7,226 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $18,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Columbia College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 103.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($15,882 vs. $7,811).

Central vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Columbia College (3.59).

Central vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central 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).

• University of Central Missouri's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $407 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($22,034 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($227 vs. $232).
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.