Columbia College vs. Concord University

Comparable Facts

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

Concord University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (1,943 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbia College vs. Concord University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Concord 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 Concord University than Columbia College ($11,379 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 25.2% lower than at Concord University ($9,390 vs. $12,546).
• Columbia College is 108.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concord University (about $11,550 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Columbia College than at Concord University (about $214 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $22,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College as at Concord University (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 48.6% larger than aid received by Concord University students ($16,451 vs. $11,072).

Columbia College vs. Concord University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 40 points higher than at Concord University (960).
• Incoming Concord University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Concord University 830/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Concord University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Concord University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Concord University (3.4).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Concord University (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 18.2% at Concord University.

Columbia College vs. Concord University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Concord 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Concord University's (34%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Concord University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $33,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concord University graduates have a $5,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Concord University graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($201 vs. $261).
• More Concord University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.