Livingstone College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Livingstone College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College than Columbia College ($12,826 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 27.6% lower than at Columbia College ($6,794 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Livingstone College (about $3,918 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at Columbia College than at Livingstone College (about $3,918 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Columbia College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Livingstone College students ($16,451 vs. $15,485).

Livingstone College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 120 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Livingstone College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Livingstone College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $16,736 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($25,264 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($261 vs. $434).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 13%)

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.