Columbia College vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Columbia College or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Marshall University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

WVU WVSU Fairmont State University of Charleston Concord University ECU Old Dominion ETSU D&E College Ohio University Shepherd University University of Richmond
Columbia College vs. Marshall University comparison
Columbia College Marshall University College 3 College 4
Marshall University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Columbia College Marshall University
Location Columbia, SC Huntington, WV
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 1,514 10,691
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #913 #813
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbiasc.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $21,250 $7,190
Tuition (Out of State) $21,250 $18,244
Room & Board $8,400 $11,840
Avg Net Price $18,779 $8,756
Avg Grant Aid $16,089 $11,221
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

 Columbia College Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,176 6,356
Admitted 2,135 6,158
Acceptance Rate 98.1% 96.9%
Enrolled % 8.9% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/18 19/25
SAT Range 850/1140 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

 Columbia College Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College Marshall University
Graduation Rate 50% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,700 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,264 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $261 $239

Diversity

 Columbia College Marshall University
% Men 15% 40%
% Women 85% 60%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 84%
% Black 34% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Columbia College Marshall University
% In-State 76% 79%
% Out-of-State 22% 20%

Campus

 Columbia College Marshall University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (10,691 students vs. 1,514 students)

Columbia College vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Marshall University?

  • Columbia College is 195.5% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($21,250.00 vs. $7,190.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.5% higher at Columbia College than Marshall University ($21,250.00 vs. $18,244.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Columbia College ($8,756 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 41% lower than costs at Marshall University ($8,400 vs. $11,840)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College than Marshall University (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 43.4% larger than aid received Marshall University ($16,089 vs. $11,221)

Columbia College vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Marshall University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marshall University or Columbia College .

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 57 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Columbia College (3.56)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Marshall University (96.9%)

Columbia College vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Marshall University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Marshall University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Marshall University (50% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Marshall University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $34,700)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $2,130 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,134 vs. $25,264)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($239 vs. $261)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/