Columbia College vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Columbia College vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Columbia College ($15,347 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 25.5% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($9,390 vs. $12,604).
• Columbia College is 112.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $11,766 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20% higher at Columbia College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $3,702 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 63.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($16,451 vs. $10,038).

Columbia College vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 110 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming UTC 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; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Columbia College vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $4,472 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,792 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($214 vs. $261).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.