Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Columbia College logo

Columbia College

Private nonprofit Columbia, SC · Urban · Southeast · 93% data
B Diversity C Earnings C- Affordability
Graduation Rate
45% D+
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$41,338 C
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$18,408 C-
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
94% D
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +1% vs avg
Graduation -21% vs avg
Net Price 7% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years.

10.2× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $680,471.

What The Data Says

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

  2. Graduation of 45% — 21% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $10.2 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
1,343
Setting
Urban
Designations
71
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Education, Health Professions

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
$41,338 median
C-
Value
2.2× net price
C-
Affordability
$18,408/yr net
D+
Graduation
45% graduate
D
Selectivity
94% admit rate
B
Diversity
0.69 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

Accessible
94% admit rate

Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

C-
$18,408/yr net

Students pay about $18,408 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

C
$41,338 median

Graduates earn a median of $41,338 ten years after enrolling — 1% above the typical college, against $22,750 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

With an acceptance rate of 94%, Columbia College is a welcoming choice for students who may want a supportive community as they pursue their education. This school is particularly well-suited for those interested in programs like Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. The smaller enrollment of just over 1,300 students means more personalized attention in the classroom, which can be a significant advantage for many.

After graduation, students typically earn around $41,338 within ten years. That’s a solid starting point, especially for those who may have faced financial challenges during their studies. The college’s affordability is also notable, with a net price of $18,408 after aid. For many graduates, this balance of income and cost can make a meaningful difference in their financial stability as they start their careers.

When we look at the practicalities, the median debt is $22,750, which is manageable for most graduates given their earnings potential. The majority of students here are recipients of Pell Grants, indicating that many come from lower-income backgrounds. Those who thrive at Columbia College often appreciate a supportive environment and are focused on practical outcomes, making it a fitting choice for students who prioritize both education and community.

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

Columbia College, located in Columbia, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.

Acceptance Rate
94%
Retention Rate
60%
Full-Time Faculty
34%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$5,937
Student–Faculty Ratio
11:1
Diversity Index
0.69
First-Gen Students
41%
Applicants
2,176
Admitted
2,135

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 $22,214, 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 $18,408. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$22,214
Out-of-State
$22,214
Avg Net Price
$18,408
Median Debt
$22,750
Pell Grant Rate
54%
Federal Loan Rate
65%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$17,541
Family Income $30K–$48K
$17,017
Family Income $48K–$75K
$16,816
Family Income $110K+
$20,399

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 report median earnings of $41,338, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$45,863
8 Years
$40,843
10 Years
$41,338
Debt-to-Earnings
0.55x
Earning > $25K
54%

Earnings Trajectory

$45,863 6yr $40,843 8yr $41,338 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (81)
60%
100% (81)
60%
100% (81)
60%
100% (81)
60%

How Columbia Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation45%Earnings 10yr$41KNet Price$18KRetention60%Median Debt$23KPell Grant Rate54%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$18K$0-30K$17K$30-48K$17K$48-75K$20K$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 $18,408/year ($73,632 total). Graduates earn $41,338 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $754,103 in total earnings — a net gain of $680,471 (10.2× your investment). The median debt is $22,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$73,632
Projected 20yr Earnings
$754,103
Net Return
$680,471
ROI Multiple
10.2×
Cost Per Year
$18,408
Median Debt
$22,750
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
45%
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

Federal Grants
$1,001,727
Investment Income
$-4,405,400

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

Columbia College, located in Columbia, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.

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

Published tuition at Columbia College is $22,214, 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 $18,408. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,541 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.

Is Columbia College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Columbia College report median earnings of $41,338, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

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

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Download the report Explore the live data →

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys