Columbia College vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Northland College 5:1.

Columbia College vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Northland 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 Northland College ($18,790 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 19.1% lower than at Northland College ($9,390 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 99.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $22,189 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.9% higher at Northland College than at Columbia College (about $22,189 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 104.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($33,572 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Northland College? 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 Northland College and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 50 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Northland College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Columbia College vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Northland College? 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 Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Northland College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,679 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($261 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.