Baker vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Baker University in Baldwin City, KS with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baker University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,017 students vs. 1,725 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baker University is located in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baker University 13:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Baker vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baker 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 Baker ($18,790 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 16.5% lower than at Baker University ($9,390 vs. $11,250).
• Baker University is 58.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $13,086 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.9% higher at Baker than at Columbia College (about $13,086 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baker University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baker University students is 50.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($24,733 vs. $16,451).

Baker vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Baker 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 Baker.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Baker University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Baker students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Baker University 970/1130; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Baker University 18/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baker - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Baker (3.45).
• Baker has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at Baker vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Baker vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baker 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.

• Baker University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker University graduates have a $265 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,999 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Baker graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $261).
• More Baker graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.