Warren Wilson vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, 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 Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson ($18,790 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 28% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($9,390 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 86.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $19,286 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.8% higher at Warren Wilson than at Columbia College (about $19,286 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 87.8% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($30,887 vs. $16,451).

Warren Wilson vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• 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 students: Warren Wilson College 21/29; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Warren Wilson vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $2,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($237 vs. $261).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.