Skip to content

Columbia College vs Lincoln University

Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, MO. Lincoln University is a public university in Jefferson City, MO. Columbia College admits about 5% of applicants and Lincoln University about 66%, making Columbia College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,092 a year at Lincoln University after aid, and about $22,715 at Columbia College. About 44% of students graduate at Columbia College, compared with 22% at Lincoln University. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia College alumni earn a median of about $45,378, against $39,463 for Lincoln University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private

Lincoln University

Jefferson City, MO · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Columbia, MO
Jefferson City, MO
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
4,950
1,392
Acceptance rate
5%
66%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1560
850–960
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,715
$19,092
Full cost / yr
$37,207
$23,704
In-state tuition
$25,826
$9,796
Out-of-state tuition
$25,826
$17,692
Application fee
$0
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,967
$20,070
$30k - $48k
$21,168
$19,313
$48k - $75k
$21,550
$18,287
$75k - $110k
$23,015
$14,466
Over $110k
$21,545
$19,984
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
22%
Freshman retention
75%
60%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,747
$32,185
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,378
$39,463
Median debt at graduation
$23,879
$28,875
Student body
Pell grant recipients
45%
49%
First-generation students
49%
38%
International students
3%
8%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Feb 1
Regular decision
Rolling
May 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia College or Lincoln University harder to get into?
Columbia College is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 66% at Lincoln University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Columbia College or Lincoln University?
Lincoln University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,092 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,715 at Columbia College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia College and Lincoln University?
Before aid, Lincoln University costs about $23,704 a year and Columbia College about $37,207. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia College or Lincoln University?
Lincoln University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $20,070 there, against about $23,967 at Columbia College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Columbia College or Lincoln University?
Columbia College is the larger of the two, with about 4,950 undergraduates against 1,392 at Lincoln University.
Does Columbia College or Lincoln University have a better graduation rate?
Columbia College has the higher graduation rate, at about 44% against 22% at Lincoln University.
Do graduates of Columbia College or Lincoln University earn more?
Columbia College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,378 ten years after enrolling, against about $39,463 for Lincoln University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Columbia College and Lincoln University require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Lincoln University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Columbia College and Lincoln University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1560 at Columbia College and 850–960 at Lincoln University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school