Bluffton University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Bluffton University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Bluffton University vs. Columbia College comparison
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Bluffton University
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Overview

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Location Bluffton, OH Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 678 1,572
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #914
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $35,498 $20,650
Tuition (Out of State) $35,498 $20,650
Room & Board $11,866 $8,550
Avg Net Price $21,299 $23,920
Avg Grant Aid $29,291 $13,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,873 2,163
Admitted 1,757 2,072
Acceptance Rate 61.2% 95.8%
Enrolled % 10.8% 9.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.56
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 14/18
SAT Range 920/1130 850/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 59% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

 Bluffton University Columbia College
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 7% 17%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 85% 55%
% Black 6% 34%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Bluffton University Columbia College
% In-State 79% 79%
% Out-of-State 19% 16%

Campus

 Bluffton University Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (1,572 students vs. 678 students)

Bluffton University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or Columbia College?

  • Bluffton University is 71.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $20,650.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.9% higher at Bluffton University than Columbia College ($35,498.00 vs. $20,650.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluffton University than Columbia College ($21,299 vs. $23,920)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 38.8% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($8,550 vs. $11,866)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Columbia College (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 109.8% larger than aid received Columbia College ($29,291 vs. $13,961)

Bluffton University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bluffton University or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Bluffton University .

  • The average SAT score at Bluffton University (972) is 1 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Bluffton University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

Bluffton University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bluffton University or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and Bluffton University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Columbia College (59% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $5,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $1,736 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/