CSU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Charleston Southern University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Columbia College than CSU ($18,790 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 23% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($9,390 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $10,306 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at CSU than at Columbia College (about $10,306 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Columbia College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 41.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,240 vs. $16,451).

CSU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming CSU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

CSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.