Keystone College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Keystone College in La Plume, PA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Keystone College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keystone College 12:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Keystone College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone College 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 Keystone College ($18,790 vs. $21,952).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 25.5% lower than at Keystone College ($9,390 vs. $12,600).
• Columbia College is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $3,914 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at Columbia College than at Keystone College (about $3,914 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Keystone College (97% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 62.6% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($16,451 vs. $10,119).

Keystone College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Keystone College 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 Keystone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Keystone College (1020) is 20 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keystone College 910/1130; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Keystone College - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Keystone College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Keystone College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone College 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $736 lower median loan debt than Keystone College graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Keystone College graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More Keystone College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.