VSU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Valdosta State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valdosta State University is located in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valdosta State University 17:1; Columbia College 12:1.

VSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU 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 Valdosta State University than Columbia College ($11,144 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 1.5% lower than at Valdosta State University ($9,390 vs. $9,530).
• Columbia College is 262.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $16,090 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $6,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Columbia College than at Valdosta State University (about $4,378 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $17,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Valdosta State University (97% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Valdosta State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,206).

VSU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VSU 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 VSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valdosta State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming VSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 920/1100; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 16/22; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Required; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at VSU (3.23).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than VSU (72.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at VSU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

VSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU 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 Valdosta State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Valdosta State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valdosta State University graduates have a $264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, VSU 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 VSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 41%)

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.