Georgia State vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia 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 State University 25:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Georgia State vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State 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 State University than Columbia College ($16,854 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 29.9% lower than at Georgia State University ($9,390 vs. $13,392).
• Columbia College is 156.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $13,550 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Georgia State than at Columbia College (about $2,626 more per year; $24,840.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Georgia State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($16,451 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia State University (1060) is 60 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Georgia State 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: Georgia State University 940/1180; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Georgia State vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State 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 State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Georgia State University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia State University graduates have a $1,565 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,699 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Georgia State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($245 vs. $261).
• More Georgia State 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.