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Eastern Murray State University Kentucky Louisville UTC NKU University of Southern Indiana Middle Tennessee State University Austin Peay State University KSU University of Missouri-St Louis ETSU| Western Kentucky University | Columbia College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
| Location | Bowling Green, KY | Columbia, MO | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 16,759 | 6,046 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #968 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wku.edu | ccis.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $11,436 | $24,326 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $27,000 | $24,326 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,043 | $8,874 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,054 | $22,655 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,906 | $14,569 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 90% |
Admission |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,720 | - | ||
| Admitted | 7,492 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 97% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 37.7% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.59 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/20 | |||
| SAT Range | 820/1010 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,100 | $41,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 47% | 40% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,250 | $22,034 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $250 | $227 |
Diversity |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 9% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 55% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 25% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 5% |
Students |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 70% | 56% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 42% | ||
Campus |
WKU | Columbia College | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Kentucky University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (16,759 students vs. 6,046 students)
WKU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WKU or Columbia College?
- Columbia College is 112.7% more expensive to attend than WKU for in-state tuition ($24,326.00 vs. $11,436.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11% higher at WKU than Columbia College ($27,000.00 vs. $24,326.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Kentucky University than Columbia College ($12,054 vs. $22,655)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 35.7% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($8,874 vs. $12,043)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Kentucky University than Columbia College (99% vs. 90%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 33.6% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($14,569 vs. $10,906)
Which college is harder to get into, WKU or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or WKU .
- Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WKU (3.42)
WKU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WKU or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and WKU.
- The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Columbia College (50% vs. 39%)
- Graduates from Columbia College earn on average $4,700 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $37,100)
- Columbia College students graduate with a $2,216 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($22,034 vs. $24,250)
- Columbia College graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($227 vs. $250)
- More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 40%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/