Columbia College vs. Middle Georgia State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Middle Georgia State University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Georgia State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,363 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Middle Georgia State University is in Macon, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Middle Georgia State University 18:1.

Columbia College vs. Middle Georgia State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Middle Georgia State 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 Middle Georgia State University than Columbia College ($11,883 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Georgia State University are 0.4% lower than at Columbia College ($9,350 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 340.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Georgia State University (about $17,176 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $5,038.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.5% higher at Columbia College than at Middle Georgia State University (about $5,824 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $16,390.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Middle Georgia State University (97% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 126.2% larger than aid received by Middle Georgia State University students ($16,451 vs. $7,274).

Columbia College vs. Middle Georgia State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Middle Georgia State 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 Middle Georgia State University and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middle Georgia State University (1070) is 70 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Middle Georgia State 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; Middle Georgia State University 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Middle Georgia State University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Middle Georgia State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Middle Georgia State University (2.9).
• Middle Georgia State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 30.4% at Middle Georgia State University.

Columbia College vs. Middle Georgia State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Middle Georgia State 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).

• Graduates from Middle Georgia State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Georgia State University graduates have a $10,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Middle Georgia State University graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($155 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Georgia State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 34%)

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.