DSC vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

DSC vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than Livingstone College ($5,625 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 34.8% lower than at Dalton State College ($6,794 vs. $10,419).
• Livingstone College is 448.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $14,960 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.7% higher at Livingstone College than at Dalton State College (about $7,640 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Dalton State College (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 132.7% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($15,485 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).

DSC vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Dalton State College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,500 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $27,113 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($14,887 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $281 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($153 vs. $434).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.