Flagler vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Flagler College in Saint Augustine, FL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Flagler College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,425 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Flagler College is located in Saint Augustine, FL (Small Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Flagler College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Flagler College 15:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Flagler vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Flagler 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 Flagler ($18,790 vs. $32,395).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 37.9% lower than at Flagler College ($9,390 vs. $15,130).
• Flagler College is 34.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $7,686 more per year; $29,900.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at Flagler than at Columbia College (about $7,686 more per year; $29,900.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Flagler College than at Columbia College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 23.1% larger than aid received by Flagler College students ($16,451 vs. $13,368).

Flagler vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Flagler 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 Flagler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Flagler College (1080) is 80 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Flagler 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: Flagler College 960/1190; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Flagler College 19/25; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Flagler - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Flagler Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Flagler (3.38).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Flagler (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Flagler vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Flagler vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Flagler 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).

• Flagler College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Flagler College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Flagler College graduates have a $1,514 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,750 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Flagler graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($245 vs. $261).
• More Flagler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.