Blackburn College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Blackburn College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn 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 Blackburn College than Columbia College ($18,460 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 5.3% lower than at Blackburn College ($9,390 vs. $9,915).
• Blackburn College is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $5,935 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Blackburn College than at Columbia College (about $5,935 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($19,456 vs. $16,451).

Blackburn College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Blackburn College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn 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 Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $736 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.