Columbia College vs. Newberry College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Newberry College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,536 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Newberry College is in Newberry, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Newberry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Newberry College 15:1.

Columbia College vs. Newberry College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Newberry 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 Columbia College than Newberry College ($18,790 vs. $21,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30.4% lower than at Newberry College ($9,390 vs. $13,500).
• Newberry College is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $8,886 more per year; $31,100.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Newberry College than at Columbia College (about $8,886 more per year; $31,100.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College as at Newberry College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Newberry College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($24,461 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Newberry College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Newberry College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Newberry College and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 60 points higher than at Newberry College (940).
• Incoming Newberry College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia College 850/1140; Newberry College 820/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia College 14/18; Newberry College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Newberry College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Newberry College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Newberry College (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 10.3% at Newberry College.

Columbia College vs. Newberry College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Newberry College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Newberry College's (35%).
• Graduates of Columbia College and Newberry College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $34,700), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than Newberry College graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Newberry College graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Newberry College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.