CofC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Columbia College 12:1.

CofC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 CofC ($18,790 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 34.5% lower than at College of Charleston ($9,390 vs. $14,332).
• Columbia College is 71.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $9,236 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.4% higher at CofC than at Columbia College (about $16,082 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at College of Charleston (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 83.1% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($16,451 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 230 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming CofC students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

CofC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($222 vs. $261).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.