La Sierra University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to La Sierra University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if La Sierra University or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Vanguard University of Southern California California Baptist University PUC
La Sierra University vs. Columbia College comparison
La Sierra University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

La Sierra University Columbia College
Location Riverside, CA Columbia, SC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,614 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #645 #913
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lasierra.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

La Sierra University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $33,912 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $33,912 $21,250
Room & Board $11,325 $8,400
Avg Net Price $25,076 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $21,867 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

La Sierra University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,878 2,176
Admitted 1,725 2,135
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 98.1%
Enrolled % 19.1% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/28 14/18
SAT Range 880/1140 850/1140
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

La Sierra University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (24%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

La Sierra University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 32% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,900 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $30,000 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $310 $261

Diversity

La Sierra University Columbia College
% Men 40% 15%
% Women 60% 85%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 14% 55%
% Black 6% 34%
% Hispanic 48% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 2% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 11% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

La Sierra University Columbia College
% In-State 84% 76%
% Out-of-State 9% 22%

Campus

La Sierra University Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • La Sierra University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (1,614 students vs. 1,514 students)

La Sierra University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or Columbia College?

  • La Sierra University is 59.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($33,912.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.6% higher at La Sierra University than Columbia College ($33,912.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than La Sierra University ($18,779 vs. $25,076)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 34.8% lower than costs at La Sierra University ($8,400 vs. $11,325)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at La Sierra University than Columbia College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 35.9% larger than aid received Columbia College ($21,867 vs. $16,089)

La Sierra University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or La Sierra University .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia College (971) is 42 points higher than at La Sierra University (929)
  • Incoming Columbia College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at La Sierra University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at La Sierra University (3.54)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than La Sierra University (91.9%)

La Sierra University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, La Sierra University or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and La Sierra University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than La Sierra University (50% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from La Sierra University earn on average $17,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($51,900 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $4,736 lower median federal student loan debt than La Sierra University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $30,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/