Alabama State vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Alabama State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,081 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Alabama State vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State 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 State University than Columbia College ($13,138 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 16.8% lower than at Columbia College ($7,816 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 97.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama State (about $10,966 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Columbia College than at Alabama State University (about $2,638 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Alabama State University (97% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 42% larger than aid received by Alabama State University students ($16,451 vs. $11,583).

Alabama State vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State 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 Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 140 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Incoming Alabama State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Alabama State vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State 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 State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $6,827 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($25,264 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($261 vs. $331).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 20%)

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.