Columbia College vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Randolph College 8:1.

Columbia College vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($18,790 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 24% lower than at Randolph College ($9,390 vs. $12,350).
• Randolph College is 36.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $8,096 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.4% higher at Randolph than at Columbia College (about $8,096 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,372 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 160 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Randolph 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; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Randolph (93.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

Columbia College vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 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 Randolph graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.