KWC vs. Columbia College

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 table 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.

KWC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 Columbia College than KWC ($18,790 vs. $20,999).
• 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).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 56.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $12,459 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at KWC than at Columbia College (about $12,459 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• 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).

KWC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming KWC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at KWC (3.3).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

KWC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC and Columbia College? 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.

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.