Columbia College vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Columbia College vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University than Columbia College ($16,286 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 11% lower than at East Tennessee State University ($9,390 vs. $10,554).
• Columbia College is 112.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $11,742 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at Columbia College than at East Tennessee State University (about $7,692 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at East Tennessee State University (97% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 62.9% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,101).

Columbia College vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 90 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Columbia College vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($211 vs. $261).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 43%)

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.