Skip to content

Columbia College vs Lindenwood University

Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, MO. Lindenwood University is a private university in Saint Charles, MO. Columbia College admits about 5% of applicants and Lindenwood University about 57%, making Columbia College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,638 a year at Lindenwood University after aid, and about $22,715 at Columbia College. About 50% of students graduate at Lindenwood University, compared with 44% at Columbia College. Ten years after enrolling, Lindenwood University alumni earn a median of about $53,278, against $45,378 for Columbia College.

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

Start the free quiz

Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Columbia, MO
Saint Charles, MO
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
4,950
4,624
Acceptance rate
5%
57%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.46–3.96
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1560
1023–1230
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
22–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,715
$19,638
Full cost / yr
$37,207
$35,436
In-state tuition
$25,826
$21,600
Out-of-state tuition
$25,826
$21,600
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,967
$15,678
$30k - $48k
$21,168
$14,701
$48k - $75k
$21,550
$17,603
$75k - $110k
$23,015
$20,760
Over $110k
$21,545
$23,821
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
50%
Freshman retention
75%
66%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,747
$45,711
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,378
$53,278
Median debt at graduation
$23,879
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
45%
30%
First-generation students
49%
35%
International students
3%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

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 Lindenwood University harder to get into?
Columbia College is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 57% at Lindenwood 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 Lindenwood University?
Lindenwood University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,638 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 Lindenwood University?
Before aid, Lindenwood University costs about $35,436 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 Lindenwood University?
Lindenwood University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,678 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 Lindenwood University?
Columbia College is the larger of the two, with about 4,950 undergraduates against 4,624 at Lindenwood University.
Does Columbia College or Lindenwood University have a better graduation rate?
Lindenwood University has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 44% at Columbia College.
Do graduates of Columbia College or Lindenwood University earn more?
Lindenwood University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $53,278 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,378 for Columbia College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Columbia College and Lindenwood University require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Lindenwood University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Columbia College and Lindenwood University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1560 at Columbia College and 1023–1230 at Lindenwood 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