Columbia College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Columbia College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken than Columbia College ($12,236 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 2.2% lower than at Columbia College ($9,182 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 106.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $11,454 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Columbia College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $996 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (97% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 84.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($16,451 vs. $8,904).

Columbia College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 100 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming USC Aiken 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 South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Columbia College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $736 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.