Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Carolina State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,242 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University than Columbia College ($17,965 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 4.2% lower than at Columbia College ($9,000 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 100.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $11,154 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Columbia College than at South Carolina State University (about $464 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at South Carolina State University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 42.1% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($16,451 vs. $11,579).

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 70 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming South Carolina State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $7,941 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($25,264 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($261 vs. $343).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 27%)

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.