University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Lancaster in Lancaster, SC with Fortis College Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Lancaster is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (2,687 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Lancaster is located in Lancaster, SC (Distant Town setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Columbia is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Lancaster 24:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Lancaster 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 University of South Carolina Lancaster than Fortis College - Columbia ($11,257 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Lancaster are 49.7% lower than at Fortis College Columbia ($6,708 vs. $13,338).
• Fortis College Columbia is 95.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Lancaster (about $7,219 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $7,558.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at University of South Carolina-Lancaster than at Fortis College Columbia (about $3,461 more per year; $18,238.00 vs. $14,777.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Lancaster than at Fortis College Columbia (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Columbia students is 6.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Lancaster students ($7,718 vs. $7,245).

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Carolina-Lancaster 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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster.

• Fortis College Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Lancaster 910/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Lancaster 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Lancaster - Test-free; Fortis College - Columbia - Open admission.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Carolina-Lancaster 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 University of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fortis College Columbia graduates have a $10,400 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($12,850 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Fortis College - Columbia graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($132 vs. $240).
• More University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.