Ozarks vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Ozarks based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 778 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Ozarks is located in Clarksville, AR (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of the Ozarks is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Ozarks 14:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Ozarks vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ozarks 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 Ozarks ($18,790 vs. $20,088).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 2.2% lower than at University of the Ozarks ($9,390 vs. $9,603).
• University of the Ozarks is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $3,736 more per year; $25,950.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Ozarks than at Columbia College (about $3,736 more per year; $25,950.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Ozarks than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Ozarks students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($18,783 vs. $16,451).

Ozarks vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ozarks or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Ozarks.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of the Ozarks (1090) is 90 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Ozarks students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of the Ozarks 1020/1160; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of the Ozarks 20/25; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ozarks - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Ozarks (3.38).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Ozarks (59.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Ozarks vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Ozarks vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ozarks and Columbia College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of the Ozarks's (46%).
• Graduates from University of the Ozarks earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Ozarks graduates have a $2,724 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,540 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Ozarks graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($233 vs. $261).
• More Ozarks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

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.