TROY vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Troy University in Troy, AL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Troy University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (13,658 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Troy University is located in Troy, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Troy University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Troy University 16:1; Columbia College 12:1.

TROY vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TROY 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 Troy University than Columbia College ($12,842 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 1.2% lower than at Troy University ($9,390 vs. $9,500).
• Columbia College is 118.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TROY (about $12,038 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Columbia College than at Troy University (about $1,862 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $20,352.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Troy University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 58.7% larger than aid received by Troy University students ($16,451 vs. $10,363).

TROY vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TROY 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 TROY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Troy University (1080) is 80 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming TROY 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: Troy University 940/1210; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Troy University 18/25; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TROY - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at TROY (3.5).
• TROY has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Columbia College (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at TROY vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

TROY vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TROY 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 Troy University's (35%).
• Graduates from Troy University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Troy University graduates have a $264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, TROY graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TROY students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 33%)

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.