JC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Jamestown in Jamestown, ND with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than JC based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Jamestown is located in Jamestown, ND (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Jamestown is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Jamestown 13:1; Columbia College 12:1.

JC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JC 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 JC ($18,790 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 6% lower than at University of Jamestown ($9,390 vs. $9,990).
• University of Jamestown is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $2,776 more per year; $24,990.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at JC than at Columbia College (about $2,776 more per year; $24,990.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Jamestown than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Jamestown students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($17,548 vs. $16,451).

JC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JC 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 JC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Jamestown (1020) is 20 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming JC 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: University of Jamestown 900/1140; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Jamestown 17/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JC - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at JC (3.25).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than JC (88.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at JC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

JC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JC 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 University of Jamestown's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Jamestown earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $736 lower median loan debt than JC graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JC graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More JC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.