CSU vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU 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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Charleston Southern University vs. Columbia College comparison
Charleston Southern University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University
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Overview

CSU Columbia College
Location Charleston, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,545 1,572
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #915 #914
Religious Affiliation Baptist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $30,380 $20,650
Tuition (Out of State) $30,380 $20,650
Room & Board $11,590 $8,550
Avg Net Price $21,347 $23,920
Avg Grant Aid $22,411 $13,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

CSU Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,072 2,163
Admitted 4,620 2,072
Acceptance Rate 76.1% 95.8%
Enrolled % 15.7% 9.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.56
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 14/18
SAT Range 950/1160 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

CSU Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

CSU Columbia College
Graduation Rate 38% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

CSU Columbia College
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 11% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 61% 55%
% Black 26% 34%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

CSU Columbia College
% In-State 73% 79%
% Out-of-State 24% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Charleston Southern University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,545 students vs. 1,572 students)

CSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Columbia College?

  • Charleston Southern University is 47.1% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($30,380.00 vs. $20,650.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.1% higher at CSU than Columbia College ($30,380.00 vs. $20,650.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than Columbia College ($21,347 vs. $23,920)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 35.6% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($8,550 vs. $11,590)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University as Columbia College (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 60.5% larger than aid received Columbia College ($22,411 vs. $13,961)

CSU vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 59 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than CSU (76.1%)

CSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Charleston Southern University (50% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn on average $5,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($39,800 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $1,736 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($25,264 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 43%)

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