Columbia College vs. Howard Payne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 809 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Howard Payne University is in Brownwood, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Howard Payne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College 12:1; Howard Payne University 10:1.

Columbia College vs. Howard Payne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Howard Payne University? 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 Columbia College than Howard Payne University ($18,790 vs. $25,750).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 7.9% lower than at Howard Payne University ($9,390 vs. $10,200).
• Howard Payne University is 57.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $12,768 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at Howard Payne University than at Columbia College (about $12,768 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Howard Payne University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard Payne University students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($20,357 vs. $16,451).

Columbia College vs. Howard Payne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University and Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard Payne University (1020) is 20 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Howard Payne University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; Howard Payne University 880/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; Howard Payne University 16/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; Howard Payne University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Howard Payne University (3.3).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Howard Payne University (67.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 27% at Howard Payne University.

Columbia College vs. Howard Payne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University's (46%).
• Graduates from Howard Payne 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, Columbia College graduates have a $422 lower median loan debt than Howard Payne University graduates ($25,264 vs. $25,686).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard Payne University graduates ($261 vs. $265).
• More Howard Payne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.