Columbia College vs. Georgia Gwinnett College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia Gwinnett College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (12,230 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Georgia Gwinnett College is in Lawrenceville, GA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Gwinnett College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Georgia Gwinnett College 19:1.

Columbia College vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Georgia Gwinnett 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 Georgia Gwinnett College than Columbia College ($15,225 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 38.3% lower than at Georgia Gwinnett College ($9,390 vs. $15,220).
• Columbia College is 390.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Gwinnett College (about $17,682 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $4,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Columbia College than at Georgia Gwinnett College (about $8,370 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $13,844.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Georgia Gwinnett College (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 136.9% larger than aid received by Georgia Gwinnett College students ($16,451 vs. $6,944).

Columbia College vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions comparison

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

• Georgia Gwinnett College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Gwinnett College (1060) is 60 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Georgia Gwinnett College 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; Georgia Gwinnett College 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Georgia Gwinnett College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Georgia Gwinnett College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Gwinnett College May 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Georgia Gwinnett College (2.88).
• Georgia Gwinnett College has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 44.5% at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Columbia College vs. Georgia Gwinnett College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Georgia Gwinnett 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates have a $5,389 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($19,875 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($205 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Gwinnett College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 30%)

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.