Columbia College vs. Appalachian Bible College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Appalachian Bible College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 223 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Appalachian Bible College is in Mount Hope, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian Bible College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Appalachian Bible College 7:1.

Columbia College vs. Appalachian Bible College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Appalachian Bible 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 Appalachian Bible College than Columbia College ($13,435 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 0.4% lower than at Appalachian Bible College ($9,390 vs. $9,430).
• Columbia College is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Appalachian Bible College (about $3,454 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Columbia College than at Appalachian Bible College (about $3,454 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Appalachian Bible College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian Bible College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($18,061 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Appalachian Bible College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Appalachian Bible 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 Appalachian Bible College and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 10 points higher than at Appalachian Bible College (990).
• Incoming Appalachian Bible College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Appalachian Bible College 878/1106.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Appalachian Bible College 21/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Appalachian Bible College - Required.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Appalachian Bible College (3.32).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Appalachian Bible College (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 79.2% at Appalachian Bible College.

Columbia College vs. Appalachian Bible College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Appalachian Bible 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 Appalachian Bible College's (33%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Appalachian Bible College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian Bible College graduates have a $11,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($13,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Appalachian Bible College graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($139 vs. $261).
• More Appalachian Bible College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.