Columbia College vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Centra College 3:1.

Columbia College vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24.4% lower than at Centra College ($9,390 vs. $12,424).
• Columbia College is 71.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $9,231 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at Columbia College than at Centra College (about $9,231 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Centra College (97% vs. 0%).

Columbia College vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Centra 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 Centra College 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; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 0% at Centra College.

Columbia College vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Centra 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).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $13,222 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($12,042 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($124 vs. $261).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.