Columbia College vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, MO with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 20:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

Columbia College vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than Columbia College ($12,410 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.1% lower than at Northeastern State University ($9,552 vs. $11,120).
• Columbia College is 230.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $18,016 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at Columbia College than at Northeastern State University (about $8,536 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Northeastern State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 78.6% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($15,882 vs. $8,893).

Columbia College vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or NSU? 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 NSU and Columbia College.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNortheastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNortheastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at NSU (3.49).

Columbia College vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and NSU? 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 Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $4,034 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($18,000 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($186 vs. $227).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.