La Sierra University vs. Columbia College

La Sierra University and Columbia College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

La Sierra University
Columbia College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: La Sierra University (91.5% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia College. Average net price is $18,790 vs $23,848 at La Sierra University.
  • Graduation: La Sierra University 32% vs Columbia College 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: La Sierra University $51,900 vs Columbia College $34,700 (median).
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Key differences

La Sierra University Columbia College
Acceptance rate
La Sierra University more selective
La Sierra University91.5%
Columbia College93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
La Sierra University higher
La Sierra University880-1140
Columbia College850-1140
Average net price
Columbia College $5,058 less
La Sierra University$23,848
Columbia College$18,790
In-state tuition
Columbia College $15,496 less
La Sierra University$37,710
Columbia College$22,214
Out-of-state tuition
Columbia College $15,496 less
La Sierra University$37,710
Columbia College$22,214
Graduation rate
Columbia College +18 pts
La Sierra University32%
Columbia College50%
Median earnings (10 years)
La Sierra University +$17,200
La Sierra University$51,900
Columbia College$34,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • La Sierra University 1,917
  • Columbia College 2,634
  • Admitted
  • La Sierra University 1,754
  • Columbia College 2,474
  • Acceptance rate
  • La Sierra University 91.5%
  • Columbia College 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • La Sierra University 13.3%
  • Columbia College 8.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • La Sierra University 1010
  • Columbia College 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • La Sierra University 23
  • Columbia College 16
  • Average high school GPA
  • La Sierra University 3.54
  • Columbia College 3.56
  • Typical high school grades
  • La Sierra University A-
  • Columbia College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • La Sierra University Moderate
  • Columbia College Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • La Sierra University
  • Columbia College
  • SAT range
  • La Sierra University 880-1140
  • Columbia College 850-1140
  • ACT range
  • La Sierra University 18-28
  • Columbia College 14-18
  • Submit test scores
  • La Sierra University Test-free
  • Columbia College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • La Sierra University
  • Columbia College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • La Sierra University $37,710
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • La Sierra University $37,710
  • Columbia College $22,214
  • Room & board
  • La Sierra University $13,431
  • Columbia College $9,390
  • Average net price
  • La Sierra University $23,848
  • Columbia College $18,790
  • Average grant aid
  • La Sierra University $27,646
  • Columbia College $16,451
  • % receiving grant aid
  • La Sierra University 98%
  • Columbia College 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • La Sierra University 32%
  • Columbia College 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • La Sierra University $51,900
  • Columbia College $34,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • La Sierra University 52%
  • Columbia College 43%
  • Median student loan debt
  • La Sierra University $30,000
  • Columbia College $25,264
  • Median loan payment
  • La Sierra University $310
  • Columbia College $261
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • La Sierra University 12:1
  • Columbia College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • La Sierra University
    • Biology (24%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Columbia College
    • Education (20%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • La Sierra University Riverside, CA
  • Columbia College Columbia, SC
  • Setting
  • La Sierra University Large City
  • Columbia College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • La Sierra University 1,574
  • Columbia College 1,725
  • Type
  • La Sierra University Private 4 Year
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • La Sierra University #692
  • Columbia College #937

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
  • La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30.1% lower than at La Sierra University ($9,390 vs. $13,431).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69.8% higher at La Sierra University than at Columbia College (about $15,496 more per year; $37,710 vs. $22,214).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at Columbia College (98% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 68.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($27,646 vs. $16,451).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at La Sierra University than at Columbia College (23 vs. 16, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both La Sierra University and Columbia College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at La Sierra University (3.54).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $4,736 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($25,264 vs. $30,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($261 vs. $310).
  • More La Sierra University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (52% 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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