Columbia College vs. West Virginia University Tech

Should I go to Columbia College or West Virginia University Institute of Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or West Virginia University Tech is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbia College vs. West Virginia University Institute of Technology comparison
Columbia College West Virginia University Institute of Technology College 3 College 4
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
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Overview

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Location Columbia, SC Montgomery, WV
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,514 1,481
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #913 #832
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbiasc.edu wvutech.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Tuition (In State) $21,250 $7,848
Tuition (Out of State) $21,250 $19,584
Room & Board $8,400 $11,676
Avg Net Price $18,779 $9,529
Avg Grant Aid $16,089 $8,830
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,176 830
Admitted 2,135 536
Acceptance Rate 98.1% 64.6%
Enrolled % 8.9% 55.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.51
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/18 18/24
SAT Range 850/1140 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Engineering (32%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Engineering Technology (14%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Graduation Rate 50% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,700 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,264 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $261 $248

Diversity

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
% Men 15% 52%
% Women 85% 48%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 72%
% Black 34% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
% In-State 76% 80%
% Out-of-State 22% 9%

Campus

Columbia College West Virginia University Tech
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College is larger than than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (1,514 students vs. 1,481 students)

Columbia College vs. West Virginia University Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or West Virginia University Tech?

  • Columbia College is 170.8% more expensive to attend than West Virginia University Tech for in-state tuition ($21,250.00 vs. $7,848.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.5% higher at Columbia College than West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($21,250.00 vs. $19,584.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University Institute of Technology than Columbia College ($9,529 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 39% lower than costs at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($8,400 vs. $11,676)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology than Columbia College (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 82.2% larger than aid received West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($16,089 vs. $8,830)

Columbia College vs. West Virginia University Tech Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or West Virginia University Tech? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between West Virginia University Tech or Columbia College .

  • The average SAT score at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (982) is 11 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Columbia College students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at West Virginia University Tech (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at West Virginia University Tech (3.51)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than West Virginia University Tech (64.6%)

Columbia College vs. West Virginia University Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or West Virginia University Tech? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between West Virginia University Tech and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than West Virginia University Institute of Technology (50% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia University Institute of Technology earn on average $15,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $34,700)
  • West Virginia University Institute of Technology students graduate with a $1,263 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($24,001 vs. $25,264)
  • West Virginia University Tech graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($248 vs. $261)
  • More West Virginia University Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/