DSC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Columbia College 12:1.

DSC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Columbia College? 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 Dalton State College than Columbia College ($5,625 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 9.9% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,390 vs. $10,419).
• Columbia College is 565.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $18,878 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.5% higher at Columbia College than at Dalton State College (about $11,558 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Dalton State College (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 147.2% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($16,451 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Columbia College? 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 Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $10,377 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($14,887 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($153 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 42%)

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.