Columbia College vs South University-Columbia
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Your family’s income
Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.
Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, SC, and South University-Columbia is a private for-profit university in Columbia, SC. Columbia College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 94% of applicants against 100% at South University-Columbia. Columbia College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,408 a year against $27,693 at South University-Columbia. About 45% of students graduate at Columbia College, compared with 13% at South University-Columbia. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia College alumni earn a median of about $41,338, against $34,421 for South University-Columbia.
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- Is Columbia College or South University-Columbia harder to get into?
- Columbia College is harder to get into. It admits about 94% of applicants, compared with 100% at South University-Columbia. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia College or South University-Columbia?
- Columbia College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,408 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $27,693 at South University-Columbia. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia College and South University-Columbia?
- Before aid, Columbia College costs about $35,258 a year and South University-Columbia about $35,322. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia College or South University-Columbia?
- Columbia College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $17,541 there, against about $26,588 at South University-Columbia. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia College or South University-Columbia?
- Columbia College is the larger of the two, with about 1,343 undergraduates against 450 at South University-Columbia.
- Does Columbia College or South University-Columbia have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia College has the higher graduation rate, at about 45% against 13% at South University-Columbia.
- Do graduates of Columbia College or South University-Columbia earn more?
- Columbia College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $41,338 ten years after enrolling, against about $34,421 for South University-Columbia. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia College and South University-Columbia require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. South University-Columbia is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
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