Paine College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Paine College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Paine College than Columbia College ($15,935 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 20% lower than at Columbia College ($7,512 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 52.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $7,618 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at Columbia College than at Paine College (about $7,618 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($16,451 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 120 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Paine College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Paine College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $10,486 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($25,264 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($261 vs. $369).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 15%)

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.