Fort Valley State University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Valley State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,897 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Valley State University is located in Fort Valley, GA (Rural Fringe setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Fort Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Valley State University 21:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Fort Valley State University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University than Columbia College ($10,047 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 15.4% lower than at Fort Valley State University ($9,390 vs. $11,100).
• Columbia College is 302% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Valley State University (about $16,688 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $5,526.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at Columbia College than at Fort Valley State University (about $5,282 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $16,932.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Fort Valley State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 63.7% larger than aid received by Fort Valley State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,049).

Fort Valley State University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Valley State University (1000) is the same as at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Fort Valley State University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Valley State University 930/1070; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Valley State University 19/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Valley State University - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fort Valley State University Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Fort Valley State University (2.87).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Fort Valley State University (65.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Fort Valley State University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Fort Valley State University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Valley State University 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 Fort Valley State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Fort Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $11,236 lower median loan debt than Fort Valley State University graduates ($25,264 vs. $36,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Valley State University graduates ($261 vs. $377).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fort Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 19%)

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.