Columbia College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Columbia College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($18,790 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 29% lower than at Ferrum College ($9,390 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 28.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $6,306 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Ferrum College than at Columbia College (about $6,306 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Columbia College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 109.4% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($34,444 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 10 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• 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; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Ferrum College (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Columbia College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Ferrum 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 Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,736 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($25,264 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($261 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.