Columbia College vs. UNG

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Georgia is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (19,291 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of North Georgia is in Dahlonega, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; University of North Georgia 19:1.

Columbia College vs. UNG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or UNG? 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 North Georgia than Columbia College ($11,157 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.5% lower than at University of North Georgia ($9,390 vs. $12,770).
• Columbia College is 320.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNG (about $16,929 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $5,285.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at Columbia College than at University of North Georgia (about $5,711 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $16,503.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at University of North Georgia (97% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 127.7% larger than aid received by University of North Georgia students ($16,451 vs. $7,226).

Columbia College vs. UNG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Georgia (1100) is 100 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming UNG 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; University of North Georgia 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; University of North Georgia 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; UNG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNG Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at UNG (3.5).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UNG (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 47.9% at UNG.

Columbia College vs. UNG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from University of North Georgia earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Georgia graduates have a $8,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($16,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, UNG graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($170 vs. $261).
• More UNG graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.