Benedict College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Benedict College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,691 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedict College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedict College 13:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Benedict College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedict 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 Benedict College than Columbia College ($18,665 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 23.9% lower than at Columbia College ($7,146 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $4,774 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at Columbia College than at Benedict College (about $4,774 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Benedict College (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 23.4% larger than aid received by Benedict College students ($16,451 vs. $13,335).

Benedict College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 80 points higher than at Benedict College (920).
• Incoming Benedict College 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: Benedict College 820/1010; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 14/19; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedict College - Open admission; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Benedict College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Benedict College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedict 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $17,634 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($25,264 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $182 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($261 vs. $443).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 13%)

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.