Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University ($18,790 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 29.9% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($9,390 vs. $13,400).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is 43.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $9,686 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at Columbia College (about $9,686 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,467 vs. $16,451).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• 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: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Lenoir-Rhyne University (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.