Columbia College vs. Lander University

Comparable Facts

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

Lander University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,378 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Lander University is in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Lander University 18:1.

Columbia College vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Lander 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 Lander University than Columbia College ($15,520 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 22.4% lower than at Lander University ($9,390 vs. $12,100).
• Columbia College is 89.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lander University (about $10,514 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Columbia College than at Lander University (about $914 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at Columbia College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 34.5% larger than aid received by Lander University students ($16,451 vs. $12,232).

Columbia College vs. Lander University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lander University (1060) is 60 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Lander University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Lander University 950/1178.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Lander University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Lander University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Lander University (81.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 22.7% at Lander University.

Columbia College vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Lander 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 Lander University's (37%).
• Graduates from Lander University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Lander University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.