Columbus State vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Columbus State vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Columbia College? 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 Columbus State University than Columbia College ($12,420 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 19.9% lower than at Columbus State University ($9,390 vs. $11,720).
• Columbia College is 276.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $16,316 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Columbia College than at Columbus State University (about $4,604 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Columbus State University (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 82.7% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($16,451 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 70 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Columbus State vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Columbia College? 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 Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 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 Columbus State graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 37%)

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.