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Columbia College vs Southwest Baptist University

Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, MO. Southwest Baptist University is a private university in Bolivar, MO. Columbia College admits about 5% of applicants and Southwest Baptist University about 68%, making Columbia College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $21,677 a year at Southwest Baptist University after aid, and about $22,715 at Columbia College. About 53% of students graduate at Southwest Baptist University, compared with 44% at Columbia College. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia College alumni earn a median of about $45,378, against $43,112 for Southwest Baptist University.

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Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, MO · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Columbia, MO
Bolivar, MO
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
4,950
1,341
Acceptance rate
5%
68%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1560
810–1210
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
17–26
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$22,715
$21,677
Full cost / yr
$37,207
$40,301
In-state tuition
$25,826
$30,566
Out-of-state tuition
$25,826
$30,566
Application fee
$0
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,967
$21,978
$30k - $48k
$21,168
$17,947
$48k - $75k
$21,550
$19,633
$75k - $110k
$23,015
$22,016
Over $110k
$21,545
$23,857
Outcomes
Graduation rate
44%
53%
Freshman retention
75%
65%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,747
$38,855
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,378
$43,112
Median debt at graduation
$23,879
$20,957
Student body
Pell grant recipients
45%
36%
First-generation students
49%
35%
International students
3%
1%
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 Southwest Baptist University harder to get into?
Columbia College is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 68% at Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University?
Southwest Baptist University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,677 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 Southwest Baptist University?
Before aid, Columbia College costs about $37,207 a year and Southwest Baptist University about $40,301. 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 Southwest Baptist University?
Southwest Baptist University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $21,978 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 Southwest Baptist University?
Columbia College is the larger of the two, with about 4,950 undergraduates against 1,341 at Southwest Baptist University.
Does Columbia College or Southwest Baptist University have a better graduation rate?
Southwest Baptist University has the higher graduation rate, at about 53% against 44% at Columbia College.
Do graduates of Columbia College or Southwest Baptist University earn more?
Columbia College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,378 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,112 for Southwest Baptist University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Columbia College and Southwest Baptist University require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Southwest Baptist University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Columbia College and Southwest Baptist University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1560 at Columbia College and 810–1210 at Southwest Baptist University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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