Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Columbia College or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or South Carolina State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University comparison
Columbia College South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
South Carolina State University
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Overview

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Location Columbia, SC Orangeburg, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,514 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #913 #1011
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbiasc.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $21,250 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $21,250 $20,218
Room & Board $8,400 $9,000
Avg Net Price $18,779 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $16,089 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,176 6,833
Admitted 2,135 5,733
Acceptance Rate 98.1% 83.9%
Enrolled % 8.9% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/18 15/19
SAT Range 850/1140 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025

Academics

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 50% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,700 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,264 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $261 $343

Diversity

Columbia College South Carolina State University
% Men 15% 44%
% Women 85% 56%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 55% 2%
% Black 34% 96%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Columbia College South Carolina State University
% In-State 76% 77%
% Out-of-State 22% 23%

Campus

Columbia College South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Carolina State University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,649 students vs. 1,514 students)

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or South Carolina State University?

  • Columbia College is 123% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($21,250.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.1% higher at Columbia College than South Carolina State University ($21,250.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than Columbia College ($17,435 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 7.1% lower than costs at South Carolina State University ($8,400 vs. $9,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College than South Carolina State University (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 1.4% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($16,089 vs. $15,873)

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or Columbia College .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia College (971) is 211 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming Columbia College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • 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 (98.1%) than South Carolina State University (83.9%)

Columbia College vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or South Carolina State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Carolina State University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than South Carolina State University (50% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College earn on average $3,700 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($34,700 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $7,941 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $33,205)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $82 less per month on federal student loans 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/