RMC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rocky Mountain College is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Rocky Mountain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rocky Mountain College 14:1; Columbia College 12:1.

RMC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RMC 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 RMC ($18,790 vs. $20,791).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 7.5% lower than at Rocky Mountain College ($9,390 vs. $10,152).
• Rocky Mountain College is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $13,368 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.2% higher at RMC than at Columbia College (about $13,368 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 55.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($25,508 vs. $16,451).

RMC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RMC 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 RMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rocky Mountain College (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming RMC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 893/1133; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 18/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RMC - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at RMC (3.42).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than RMC (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at RMC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

RMC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RMC 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).

• The graduation rate at RMC is the same as at Columbia College (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from Rocky Mountain College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 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 RMC graduates ($25,264 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More RMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.