ABAC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,825 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is located in Tifton, GA (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 21:1; Columbia College 12:1.

ABAC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ABAC 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 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College than Columbia College ($7,308 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 4.2% lower than at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College ($9,390 vs. $9,800).
• Columbia College is 579.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ABAC (about $18,946 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $3,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.8% higher at Columbia College than at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (about $11,626 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,588.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 143.8% larger than aid received by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students ($16,451 vs. $6,747).

ABAC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ABAC 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 ABAC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 30 points higher than at ABAC (970).
• Incoming ABAC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 860/1080; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 17/22; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ABAC - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ABAC (2.85).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than ABAC (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.1% at ABAC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

ABAC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ABAC 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).

• Graduates from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduates have a $8,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($16,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, ABAC graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($170 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ABAC students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 41%)

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.