Columbia College vs. NSU

Columbia College and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NSU (87.8% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 930 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $18,790 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 50% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $34,700 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
NSU more selective
Columbia College93.9%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia College higher
Columbia College850-1140
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $9,666 less
Columbia College$18,790
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $12,034 less
Columbia College$22,214
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $532 less
Columbia College$22,214
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
Columbia College +17 pts
Columbia College50%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
NSU +$2,000
Columbia College$34,700
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 2,634
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 2,474
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 93.9%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 8.5%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College 1000
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College 16
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.56
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College A-
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College 850-1140
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College 14-18
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Test-free
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $9,390
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $18,790
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $16,451
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 97%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 50%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $34,700
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 43%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $25,264
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $261
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 12:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Columbia, SC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 1,725
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College #937
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, SC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Norfolk State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 1,725 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 19% lower than at Norfolk State University ($9,390 vs. $11,591).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Columbia College than at Norfolk State University (about $532 more per year; $22,214 vs. $21,682).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Norfolk State University (97% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($16,451 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at NSU than at Columbia College (19 vs. 16, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Columbia College, test optional at NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.66 higher than at NSU (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $5,736 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($25,264 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($261 vs. $320).
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (43% vs. 27%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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