OC Comets vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Olivet is located in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Olivet 17:1; Columbia College 12:1.

OC Comets vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OC Comets 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 OC Comets ($18,790 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 25.3% lower than at The University of Olivet ($9,390 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 53.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $11,854 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.4% higher at OC Comets than at Columbia College (about $11,854 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 69.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($27,858 vs. $16,451).

OC Comets vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OC Comets 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 OC Comets.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Olivet (1020) is 20 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming OC Comets 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: The University of Olivet 910/1120; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Olivet 18/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OC Comets - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OC Comets vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

OC Comets vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OC Comets 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from The University of Olivet earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More OC Comets graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.