Your chances of getting into Columbia College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Columbia College is 98.6%. Its admission rate is the 34th lowest in South Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Columbia College and can you get accepted?
Columbia College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,260 out of the 1,278 who applied were admitted.
The school has extremely easy admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 78 percent on standardized admission tests. Columbia College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.56. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Columbia College?
99% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Columbia College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.56 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 940 on the SAT
- Score 18 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
Columbia College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Columbia College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Columbia College are to have around a 3.56 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.56 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Columbia College accepts 99% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Columbia College is 3.56 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #19 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Columbia College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
Columbia College SAT Scores
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Columbia College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. .
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 450 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 370 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 820 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 550 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 500 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1050 |
| Average SAT Score | 940
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Columbia College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Columbia College is 940 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 820-1050. Students who get into Columbia College score in the top 88 percent of all SAT test takers.. Columbia College ranks #27 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 940 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Columbia College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 820 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 820, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 700, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Columbia College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".
View other colleges which accept students in the 940 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 935, you have around a 99% chance of being admitted. A 1050 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 99% chance of getting in.
Columbia College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 14 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 17 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 18 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 17 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 20 |
| Average ACT Score | 18
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Columbia College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Columbia College is 18, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 20. The school ranks #21 in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 18. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.
0 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Columbia College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Columbia College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Columbia College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 18 score has around 99% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 99% with a 20 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
61% of Columbia College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top quarter.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 9% |
| Top 25% of class | 24% |
| Top 50% of class | 61% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,049 | 229 | 1,278 |
| Accepted | 1,034 | 226 | 1,260 |
| Acceptance Rate | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Enrolled | 159 | 51 | 210 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 15% | 23% | 17% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Columbia College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Columbia College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Considered but not required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Neither required nor recommended |
| Recommendations | Considered but not required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Columbia College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.56 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 940 and ACT of 18 will almost guarantee your admission.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217934 IPEDS survey data for Columbia College.
FAQs
What is my chance of getting into Columbia College?
99% of those who apply are granted admission to Columbia College. Admission competition is and the college has extremely easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Columbia College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 820 and 1050. The average SAT score is 935. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Columbia College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 17 and 20. The average ACT score is 18. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.