Albion College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Albion College in Albion, MI with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Albion College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Albion College is located in Albion, MI (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Albion College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Albion College 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Albion College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Albion College 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 Albion College than Columbia College ($16,719 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.8% lower than at Albion College ($9,390 vs. $12,830).
• Albion College is 156.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $34,736 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.4% higher at Albion College than at Columbia College (about $34,736 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albion College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albion College students is 224% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($53,298 vs. $16,451).

Albion College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Albion College 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 Albion College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Albion College (1050) is 50 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Albion College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 930/1160; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 19/27; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Albion College - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Albion College (3.48).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Albion College (80.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Albion College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Albion College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Albion College 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).

• Albion College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Albion College earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,936 lower median loan debt than Albion College graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,200).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albion College graduates ($261 vs. $281).
• More Albion College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 43%)

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.