Columbus State vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

Columbus State vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Livingstone 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 Livingstone College ($12,420 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 42% lower than at Columbus State University ($6,794 vs. $11,720).
• Livingstone College is 210.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $12,398 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Livingstone College than at Columbus State University (about $686 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Columbus State University (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 72% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($15,485 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbus State University (930) is 50 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Columbus State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Livingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Livingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbus State students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.07) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 8.6% at Livingstone College.

Columbus State vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State and Livingstone 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).

• Columbus State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbus State University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($26,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbus State graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($268 vs. $434).
• More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 13%)

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.