Columbia College vs. PC

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

Columbia College vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or PC? 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 PC ($18,790 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30.8% lower than at Presbyterian College ($9,390 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 102.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $22,696 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.2% higher at PC than at Columbia College (about $22,696 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 139.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($39,345 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. PC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Presbyterian College (1090) is 90 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming PC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; PC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 11.6% at PC.

Columbia College vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and PC? 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $844 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($261 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.