Columbus Technical College vs. Fortis College-Smyrna

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus Technical College in Columbus, GA with Fortis College Smyrna in Smyrna, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus Technical College is larger than Fortis College-Smyrna based on total student enrollment (3,307 students vs. 607 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus Technical College is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); Fortis College Smyrna is in Smyrna, GA (Small City setting).
• Columbus Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Smyrna is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus Technical College 16:1; Fortis College Smyrna 25:1.

Columbus Technical College vs. Fortis College-Smyrna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus Technical College or Fortis College-Smyrna? 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 Technical College than Fortis College-Smyrna ($4,518 vs. $23,393).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus Technical College are 5.2% lower than at Fortis College Smyrna ($14,094 vs. $14,873).
• Fortis College Smyrna is 283.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus Technical College (about $11,491 more per year; $15,543.00 vs. $4,052.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114% higher at Fortis College-Smyrna than at Columbus Technical College (about $8,281 more per year; $15,543.00 vs. $7,262.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College Smyrna than at Columbus Technical College (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus Technical College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Fortis College Smyrna students ($8,092 vs. $7,763).

Columbus Technical College vs. Fortis College-Smyrna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus Technical College or Fortis College-Smyrna? 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 Fortis College-Smyrna and Columbus Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus Technical College - Open admission; Fortis College-Smyrna - Open admission.

Columbus Technical College vs. Fortis College-Smyrna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus Technical College and Fortis College-Smyrna? 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).

• Graduates from Columbus Technical College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Fortis College-Smyrna graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,700 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbus Technical College graduates have a $6,850 lower median loan debt than Fortis College-Smyrna graduates ($6,000 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, Columbus Technical College graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College-Smyrna graduates ($62 vs. $132).
• More Columbus Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Smyrna students, three years after graduation. (26% vs. 22%)

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.