GS vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia Southern University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (27,423 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, GA (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southern University 25:1; Columbia College 12:1.

GS vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GS 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 Georgia Southern University than Columbia College ($15,971 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 18.3% lower than at Georgia Southern University ($9,390 vs. $11,492).
• Columbia College is 268.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GS (about $16,192 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $6,022.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at Columbia College than at Georgia Southern University (about $4,480 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,734.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Georgia Southern University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 82.9% larger than aid received by Georgia Southern University students ($16,451 vs. $8,994).

GS vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GS 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 GS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southern University (1060) is 60 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming GS 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: Georgia Southern University 986/1133; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southern University 18/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GS - Required; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GS May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at GS (3.36).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than GS (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at GS vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

GS vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GS 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 Georgia Southern University's (47%).
• Graduates from Georgia Southern University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southern University graduates have a $2,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, GS graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($237 vs. $261).
• More GS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.