Columbus State vs. DSC

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than DSC based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Dalton State College is in Dalton, GA (Small City setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Dalton State College 21:1.

Columbus State vs. DSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or DSC? 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 Dalton State College than Columbus State ($5,625 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 11.1% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,419 vs. $11,720).
• Columbus State University is 76.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $2,562 more per year; $5,898.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.3% higher at Columbus State than at Dalton State College (about $6,954 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Columbus State University (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 35.3% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($9,003 vs. $6,654).

Columbus State vs. DSC Admissions comparison

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

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; DSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Columbus State (3.07).

Columbus State vs. DSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and DSC? 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).

• Columbus State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $11,113 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($14,887 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($153 vs. $268).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.