Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia Southwestern State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,700 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern 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 Southwestern State University than Columbia College ($11,769 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 13.5% lower than at Georgia Southwestern State University ($9,390 vs. $10,850).
• Columbia College is 325.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $16,994 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at Columbia College than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $5,642 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Georgia Southwestern State University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($16,451 vs. $9,104).

Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Southwestern State University (1000) is the same as at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Georgia Southwestern (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern 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 Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $3,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($227 vs. $261).
• More Georgia Southwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.