AAMU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Columbia College 12:1.

AAMU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU 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 Alabama A & M University than Columbia College ($17,152 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 17.6% lower than at Alabama A & M University ($9,390 vs. $11,402).
• Columbia College is 121.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than AAMU (about $12,190 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Columbia College than at Alabama A & M University (about $3,580 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,634.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Alabama A & M University (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Alabama A & M University students ($16,451 vs. $12,844).

AAMU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU 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 AAMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 70 points higher than at AAMU (930).
• Incoming AAMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 16) as students at Columbia College (16).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at AAMU (3.02).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than AAMU (58%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

AAMU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Alabama A & M University's (32%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $400 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $9,736 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($25,264 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($261 vs. $361).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 25%)

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.