Columbia College vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbia College vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Columbia College ($11,055 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30.6% lower than at West Virginia State University ($9,390 vs. $13,522).
• Columbia College is 132.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $12,644 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at Columbia College than at West Virginia State University (about $7,224 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at West Virginia State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 82.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($16,451 vs. $8,993).

Columbia College vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 100 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming WVSU 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; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Columbia College vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $2,014 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($240 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 35%)

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.