Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize city

Columbia College

Columbia, South Carolina. 1,343 undergraduates. Admits 94% of applicants.

41%Graduation rate13 pts below the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$21,611Average net price per year9% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$46,266Median earnings 10 years after starting21% below the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$21,944Median debt at graduationAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($21,944) equals 47% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($46,266).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$21,039
$30,000–$48,000$21,010
$48,001–$75,000$19,525
$75,001–$110,000$22,674
Over $110,000$25,596

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $24,436.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate41%54%
Return for second year60%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$49,117$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$46,266$58,912
Median debt at graduation$21,944$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

40 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Homeland Security9$68,455$76,988—
Business Administration, Management and Operations28$55,259$66,132$27,763
Criminal Justice and Corrections25$46,506$62,687$26,600
Communication and Media Studies2—$53,532—
Behavioral Sciences4—$49,878—
Social Work12—$41,873—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods16$41,333—$30,000
Biology, General4—$38,462—
Psychology, General27—$36,811$25,542
Computer and Information Sciences, General6———
Education, General10——$26,201
Special Education and Teaching23——$27,770
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas2———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services5———
English Language and Literature, General1———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology1———
Mathematics1———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General3———
Data Analytics3———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness8———
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology7———
Fire Protection2———
Community Organization and Advocacy3———
Political Science and Government3———
Fine and Studio Arts3———
Music1———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General1———
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services27——$30,050
Health and Medical Administrative Services3———
Public Health2———
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing1———
Accounting and Related Services9———
Hospitality Administration/Management2———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

94%Admission rate
12:1Students per faculty member
60%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in South Carolina

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Columbia College cost per year?
The average net price at Columbia College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $21,611 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Columbia College graduates earn?
Former Columbia College students earn a median of $46,266 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia College?
41% of Columbia College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Columbia College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Columbia College is $21,944. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.