KWC vs. Columbia College

Kentucky Wesleyan College and Columbia College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Columbia College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KWC (71.6% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia College. Average net price is $18,790 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs Columbia College 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs Columbia College $34,700 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College Columbia College
Acceptance rate
KWC more selective
KWC71.6%
Columbia College93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia College higher
KWC890-1130
Columbia College850-1140
Average net price
Columbia College $2,209 less
KWC$20,999
Columbia College$18,790
In-state tuition
Columbia College $12,459 less
KWC$34,673
Columbia College$22,214
Out-of-state tuition
Columbia College $12,459 less
KWC$34,673
Columbia College$22,214
Graduation rate
Columbia College +6 pts
KWC44%
Columbia College50%
Median earnings (10 years)
KWC +$3,800
KWC$38,500
Columbia College$34,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • Columbia College 2,634
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • Columbia College 2,474
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • Columbia College 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • Columbia College 8.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • Columbia College 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • Columbia College 16
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • Columbia College 3.56
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • Columbia College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • Columbia College Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • Columbia College
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • Columbia College 850-1140
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • Columbia College 14-18
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • Columbia College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • Columbia College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • Columbia College $9,390
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • Columbia College $18,790
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • Columbia College $16,451
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • Columbia College 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • Columbia College 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • Columbia College $34,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • Columbia College 43%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • Columbia College $25,264
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • Columbia College $261
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • Columbia College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Columbia College
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • Columbia College Columbia, SC
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • Columbia College 1,725
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • Columbia College #937

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 20.8% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($9,390 vs. $11,855).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at KWC than at Columbia College (about $12,459 more per year; $34,673 vs. $22,214).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($25,538 vs. $16,451).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at KWC than at Columbia College (19 vs. 16, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at KWC, test-free at Columbia College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $2,357 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,907 vs. $25,264).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($236 vs. $261).
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 43%).

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

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