Columbia International University vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia International University in Columbia, SC with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia International University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (2,914 students vs. 946 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia International University 13:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

Columbia International University vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 International University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($26,056 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 28.6% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($11,950 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 95.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia International University (about $26,650 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $27,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.5% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Columbia International University (about $26,650 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $27,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 139.4% larger than aid received by Columbia International University students ($40,720 vs. $17,009).

Columbia International University vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between HSC- Hampden-Sydney and Columbia International University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Columbia International University (1090).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 990/1195; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 16/25; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia International University - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027; HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Columbia International University (3.5).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at Columbia International University vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

Columbia International University vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia International University and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Columbia International University's (57%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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.