SMC vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC with Fortis College Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spartanburg Methodist College is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (1,119 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spartanburg Methodist College is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Columbia is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spartanburg Methodist College 16:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

SMC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or Fortis College - Columbia? 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 Spartanburg Methodist College than Fortis College - Columbia ($14,799 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spartanburg Methodist College are 16.3% lower than at Fortis College Columbia ($11,160 vs. $13,338).
• Spartanburg Methodist College is 39.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fortis College - Columbia (about $5,873 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $14,777.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at SMC than at Fortis College Columbia (about $5,873 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $14,777.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spartanburg Methodist College than at Fortis College Columbia (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spartanburg Methodist College students is 124.6% larger than aid received by Fortis College Columbia students ($17,334 vs. $7,718).

SMC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or Fortis College - Columbia? 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 Fortis College - Columbia and SMC.

• Fortis College Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMC - Test-free; Fortis College - Columbia - Open admission.

SMC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and Fortis College - Columbia? 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).

• Graduates from Spartanburg Methodist College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spartanburg Methodist College graduates have a $850 lower median loan debt than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($12,000 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($124 vs. $132).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 22%)

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.