Columbia College
Private nonprofit four-year university in Columbia, SC that costs an average of $21,611 a year after financial aid, admits 94% of applicants and graduates 41% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$21,611
Acceptance rate
94%
Graduation rate
41%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$46,266
Private nonprofitMidsize city1,343 undergraduates
Cost of Columbia College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $38,048 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $24,436 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $10,330 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $21,611 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $21,039 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $21,010 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $19,525 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $22,674 |
| $110,001+ | $25,596 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Columbia College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 94% |
|---|---|
| Test scores | Neither required nor recommended |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 41% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 60% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $49,117 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $46,266 |
| Rank in South Carolina (earnings) | 22nd of 35 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,944 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $249 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 60% |
| Students with federal loans | 64% |
Majors and programs at Columbia College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (44)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security | 17 | $68,455 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 52 | $55,259 | $22,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 55 | $46,506 | $20,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 30 | $41,333 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 13 | — | — |
| Behavioral Sciences | 7 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 4 | — | — |
| Biology | 12 | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 14 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 42 | — | $23,122 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 8 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 13 | — | — |
| Dance | 4 | — | — |
| Data Analytics | 4 | — | — |
| Education | 23 | — | $24,676 |
| English Language and Literature | 2 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 6 | — | — |
| Fire Protection | 4 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 11 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | — | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 5 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 9 | — | — |
| Human Services | — | — | — |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Marketing | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | 3 | — | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Music | 2 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 5 | — | — |
| Psychology | 47 | — | $20,834 |
| Public Health | 3 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology | — | — | — |
| Social Work | 21 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 34 | — | $11,925 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 14 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 4 | — | — |
Certificate programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 3 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 10 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 53 | $56,546 | $20,216 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 16 | $54,255 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 45 | $54,158 | — |
| Education, Other | 266 | $53,471 | $20,458 |
| Biology | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 17 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 13 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, Other | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in South Carolina
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newberry College | Newberry | $22,104 | 90% | $51,404 |
| Benedict College | Columbia | $17,734 | 96% | $36,562 |
| Converse University | Spartanburg | $23,526 | 68% | $45,726 |
| Claflin University | Orangeburg | $16,532 | 65% | $44,351 |
| Wofford College | Spartanburg | $23,144 | 52% | $76,744 |
| North Greenville University | Tigerville | $22,235 | 67% | $47,090 |
| Bob Jones University | Greenville | $14,632 | — | $49,158 |
| Presbyterian College | Clinton | $20,154 | 68% | $61,828 |
About Columbia College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbia, SC |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 1,343 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | columbiasc.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Columbia College's acceptance rate?
Columbia College admits 94% of applicants.
How much does Columbia College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $38,048 a year (tuition and fees: $24,436). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $21,611 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $21,039.
How much do Columbia College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $46,266 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 22nd of 35 similar colleges in South Carolina. The best-paid bachelor's program is homeland security ($68,455 a year after graduation).
What is Columbia College's graduation rate?
41% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 60% of first-year students return for a second year.