Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

• University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (3,840 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or USC Aiken?

• Columbia International University is 146.4% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $10,398.00)
• Out of state tuition is 22.8% higher at Columbia International University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($25,620.00 vs. $20,856.00)
• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Columbia International University ($11,872 vs. $19,911)
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 18.8% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,376 vs. $9,950)
• More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 90.4% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($18,834 vs. $9,891)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or Columbia International University .

• The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 69 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
• Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
• Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or USC Aiken? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC Aiken and Columbia International University.

• The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (57% vs. 41%)
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn on average $6,200 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $33,400)
• Columbia International University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
• Columbia International University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
• More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/