Columbia College vs. Mount Mary University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Mount Mary University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,182 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Mount Mary University is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Mount Mary University 9:1.

Columbia College vs. Mount Mary University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Mount Mary 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 Columbia College than Mount Mary University ($18,790 vs. $20,390).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 8.9% lower than at Mount Mary University ($9,390 vs. $10,310).
• Mount Mary University is 59.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $13,206 more per year; $35,420.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at Mount Mary University than at Columbia College (about $13,206 more per year; $35,420.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mary University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mary University students is 75.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($28,897 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Mount Mary University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 10 points higher than at Mount Mary University (990).
• Incoming Mount Mary University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Mount Mary University 866/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Mount Mary University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Mount Mary University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Mount Mary University (3.13).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Mount Mary University (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 14.1% at Mount Mary University.

Columbia College vs. Mount Mary University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Mount Mary 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 Mount Mary University's (46%).
• Graduates from Mount Mary University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 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 Mount Mary University graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mary University graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Mount Mary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.