Columbus State vs. PVAMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus State University in Columbus, GA with Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Prairie View A & M University is larger than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (9,922 students vs. 7,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Prairie View A & M University is in Prairie View, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Prairie View A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Prairie View A & M University 17:1.

Columbus State vs. PVAMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or PVAMU? 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 Columbus State University than PVAMU ($12,420 vs. $14,448).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Prairie View A & M University are 12% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,317 vs. $11,720).
• Prairie View A & M University is 91.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $5,401 more per year; $11,299.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at PVAMU than at Columbus State University (about $9,264 more per year; $26,874.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at Prairie View A & M University (89% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Prairie View A & M University students is 75.2% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($15,769 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. PVAMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or PVAMU? 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 PVAMU and Columbus State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Prairie View A & M University (970) is 40 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at PVAMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Prairie View A & M University 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Prairie View A & M University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; PVAMU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; PVAMU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PVAMU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than PVAMU (79.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 18.4% at PVAMU.

Columbus State vs. PVAMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and PVAMU? 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).

• Prairie View A & M University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Prairie View A & M University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbus State University graduates have a $2,955 lower median loan debt than PVAMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,955).
• Among borrowers, Columbus State graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PVAMU graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PVAMU students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 28%)

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.