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Columbia College

Private nonprofit Columbia, MO · Urban · Plains · 87% data
B- Diversity C+ Earnings C- Value
Graduation Rate
44% D+
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$45,378 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$22,715 D+
33% more than the typical college
Enrollment
4,950
Earnings +11% vs avg
Graduation -23% vs avg
Net Price 33% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years.

11.3× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $935,577.

What The Data Says

  1. A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $11.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Columbia College

Columbia College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
4,950
Setting
Urban
Designations
61
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, Criminal Justice

Why students choose Columbia College

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 56% overall
C+
Earnings
$45,378 median
C-
Value
2.0× net price
D+
Affordability
$22,715/yr net
D+
Graduation
44% graduate
B-
Diversity
0.66 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

D+
$22,715/yr net

Students pay about $22,715 a year after grants and scholarships — 33% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

C+
$45,378 median

Graduates earn a median of $45,378 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $23,879 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

Limited data

Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.

See mobility →

Overview

Columbia College is a solid choice for students looking for a close-knit community and a range of practical programs. With around 4,950 students, it’s big enough to offer diverse opportunities but small enough to foster personal connections. Popular fields of study here include Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. These programs prepare students for a variety of careers, making it a good fit for those who want a hands-on educational experience.

Looking at what graduates achieve, the average earnings 10 years after graduation stand at $45,378. This figure helps illustrate the potential return on investment for students who choose Columbia College. It's essential to consider affordability as well; nearly half of the student body receives Pell Grants, which indicates a commitment to supporting low-income students. While the graduation rate is 44%, many students find pathways to success in their careers, even if it takes them a bit longer to finish.

When it comes to the practical aspects, the net price after aid is about $22,715, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,879, a figure that underscores the importance of planning for future financial obligations. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and actively engaged in their studies, as the supportive environment encourages personal and academic growth.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Columbia College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.

Retention Rate
75%
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,205
Student–Faculty Ratio
20:1
Diversity Index
0.66
First-Gen Students
49%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Columbia College is $25,826, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,715. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,967 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,879 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$25,826
Out-of-State
$25,826
Avg Net Price
$22,715
Median Debt
$23,879
Pell Grant Rate
45%
Federal Loan Rate
41%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$23,967
Family Income $30K–$48K
$21,168
Family Income $48K–$75K
$21,550
Family Income $110K+
$21,545

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Columbia College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Columbia College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Columbia College earn a median of $45,378, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$40,747
8 Years
$41,679
10 Years
$45,378
Debt-to-Earnings
0.53x
Earning > $25K
66%

Earnings Trajectory

$40,747 6yr $41,679 8yr $45,378 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (52)
14%
100% (52)
14%
100% (52)
14%
100% (52)
14%

How Columbia Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation44%Earnings 10yr$45KNet Price$23KRetention75%Median Debt$24KPell Grant Rate45%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$24K$0-30K$21K$30-48K$22K$48-75K$22K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Columbia College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Columbia College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,715/year ($90,860 total). Graduates earn $45,378 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,026,437 in total earnings — a net gain of $935,577 (11.3× your investment). The median debt is $23,879, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$90,860
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,026,437
Net Return
$935,577
ROI Multiple
11.3×
Cost Per Year
$22,715
Median Debt
$23,879
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
44%
Explore all Columbia College ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$-6,474,236

Top Programs

The fields Columbia College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Columbia College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Columbia College is $25,826, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,715. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,967 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,879 in federal student loans.

Is Columbia College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Columbia College earn a median of $45,378, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Columbia College.

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