Columbia College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Columbia College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or VSU? 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 Virginia State University than Columbia College ($17,840 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 29.7% lower than at Virginia State University ($9,390 vs. $13,355).
• Columbia College is 121.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $12,171 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at VSU than at Columbia College (about $436 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Virginia State University (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($16,451 vs. $12,447).

Columbia College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 40 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming VSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at VSU (2.85).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Columbia College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and VSU? 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 Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,236 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($25,264 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($261 vs. $305).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 28%)

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.