Dominican vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, IL with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Dominican vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican University than Columbia College ($13,402 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24.9% lower than at Dominican University ($9,552 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $13,152 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at Dominican than at Columbia College (about $13,152 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 93.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($30,756 vs. $15,882).

Dominican vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Columbia College (3.59).

Dominican vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican and Columbia College? 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,966 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($22,034 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.