Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Graceland University Lamoni in Lamoni, IA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Graceland University-Lamoni based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,102 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Graceland University Lamoni is located in Lamoni, IA (Remote Rural setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Graceland University Lamoni is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Graceland University Lamoni 12:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Graceland University-Lamoni 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 Graceland University-Lamoni ($18,790 vs. $19,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 14.6% lower than at Graceland University Lamoni ($9,390 vs. $11,000).
• Columbia College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Graceland University-Lamoni (about $1,264 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $20,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Columbia College than at Graceland University Lamoni (about $1,264 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $20,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Graceland University Lamoni than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Graceland University Lamoni students is 74.8% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($28,754 vs. $16,451).

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Graceland University-Lamoni 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 Graceland University-Lamoni.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Graceland University Lamoni (1000) is the same as at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Graceland University-Lamoni 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: Graceland University Lamoni 880/1120; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Graceland University Lamoni 16/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Graceland University-Lamoni - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Graceland University-Lamoni (3.22).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Graceland University-Lamoni (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Graceland University-Lamoni vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Graceland University-Lamoni 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).

• Graceland University Lamoni's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Graceland University Lamoni graduates have a $1,720 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,544 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Graceland University-Lamoni graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($243 vs. $261).
• More Graceland University-Lamoni graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.