Pfeiffer University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer University or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Pfeiffer University vs. Columbia College comparison
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Pfeiffer University
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Overview

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Location Misenheimer, NC Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Rural Midsize City
Enrollment 1,076 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #913
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $21,250
Room & Board $12,520 $8,400
Avg Net Price $21,575 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 2,176
Admitted 897 2,135
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 98.1%
Enrolled % 18.4% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.56
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 14/18
SAT Range 891/1165 850/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 45% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $231 $261

Diversity

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
% Men 39% 15%
% Women 61% 85%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 52% 55%
% Black 21% 34%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
% In-State 72% 76%
% Out-of-State 24% 22%

Campus

 Pfeiffer University Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (1,514 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or Columbia College?

  • Pfeiffer University is 50.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.3% higher at Pfeiffer University than Columbia College ($31,940.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Pfeiffer University ($18,779 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 49% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($8,400 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than Columbia College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 54.9% larger than aid received Columbia College ($24,926 vs. $16,089)

Pfeiffer University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pfeiffer University or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Pfeiffer University .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia College (971) is 40 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming Columbia College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Pfeiffer University (50% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $34,700)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $2,865 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($22,399 vs. $25,264)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($231 vs. $261)
  • More Pfeiffer University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/