Columbia College vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Radford University 14:1.

Columbia College vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or RU? 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 Radford University than Columbia College ($16,749 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24.9% lower than at Radford University ($9,390 vs. $12,504).
• Columbia College is 77% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $9,666 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at RU than at Columbia College (about $3,419 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Radford University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($16,451 vs. $11,870).

Columbia College vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming RU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at RU (3.31).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 14.4% at RU.

Columbia College vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($237 vs. $261).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.