Eastern vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Eastern vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Columbia College ($12,279 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 23.5% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($9,390 vs. $12,268).
• Columbia College is 115.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $11,894 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Columbia College than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $984 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Columbia College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 43.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($16,451 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 20 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Eastern vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,569 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,695 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($245 vs. $261).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 43%)

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.