Columbia College vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Columbia College vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Carolina University? 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 Carolina University ($18,790 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24.3% lower than at Carolina University ($9,390 vs. $12,400).
• Columbia College is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carolina University (about $4,639 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Columbia College than at Carolina University (about $4,639 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carolina University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 37.7% larger than aid received by Carolina University students ($16,451 vs. $11,947).

Columbia College vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Carolina University? 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 Carolina University and Columbia College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Columbia College vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Carolina University? 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).

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.