Faulkner vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Faulkner University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,086 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Faulkner University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Faulkner University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Faulkner University 14:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Faulkner vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Faulkner 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 Columbia College than Faulkner ($18,790 vs. $19,920).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Faulkner University are 11.1% lower than at Columbia College ($8,350 vs. $9,390).
• Faulkner University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $1,706 more per year; $23,920.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Faulkner than at Columbia College (about $1,706 more per year; $23,920.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Faulkner University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Faulkner University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($17,782 vs. $16,451).

Faulkner vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Faulkner 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 Faulkner.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Faulkner University (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Faulkner students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Faulkner University 886/1135; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Faulkner University 17/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Faulkner - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Faulkner (3.36).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Faulkner (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.3% at Faulkner vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Faulkner vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Faulkner 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 Faulkner University's (33%).
• Graduates from Faulkner University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Faulkner University graduates have a $3,514 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Faulkner graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($224 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Faulkner students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 30%)

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.