Columbia College vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,167 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbia College vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than Columbia College ($14,378 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.7% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($9,390 vs. $12,816).
• Columbia College is 88.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $10,434 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at UVa-Wise than at Columbia College (about $5,796 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Columbia College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 34.2% larger than aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students ($16,451 vs. $12,262).

Columbia College vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 30 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

Columbia College vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $4,437 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,827 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($215 vs. $261).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.