Columbia State Community College
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,256 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $4,734 A
- 72% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,897
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 49.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $49.4 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $49.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $916,688.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 30% — 47% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $49.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Columbia State Community College Matters
Columbia State Community College is a public community college in Columbia, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 3,897
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Columbia State Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $4,734 a year after grants and scholarships — 72% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,256 ten years after enrolling — 1% below the typical college, against $8,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 77% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.06 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Columbia State Community College is a solid choice for students seeking affordable education in a supportive environment. With an enrollment of nearly 3,900, it caters to those interested in programs such as Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, and Computer Science & IT. This variety means students can find a path that aligns with their career goals while receiving personalized attention from faculty.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $40,256 within ten years. Though the graduation rate stands at 30%, this doesn't tell the whole story. Many students who do complete their programs find meaningful employment and start to build their careers, making the investment in education worthwhile. Affordability is also a key factor, with a net price of just $4,734 after aid, making it accessible for a wide range of students.
Financially, the college is manageable for most, with a median debt of $8,500 upon graduation. This debt level is relatively low, especially when compared to potential earnings. Students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the resources and support systems in place, focusing on their studies and engaging with the community around them. It's a place where commitment and hard work can lead to real opportunities.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbia State Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Columbia, Tennessee, Columbia State Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Retention Rate
- 55%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,556
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
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 State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia State Community College is $18,112, 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 $4,734. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,083 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,296
- Out-of-State
- $18,112
- Avg Net Price
- $4,734
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 5%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,083
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,125
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,995
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,252
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 State Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Columbia State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia State Community College report median earnings of $40,256, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,400
- 8 Years
- $38,174
- 10 Years
- $40,256
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.21x
- Earning > $25K
- 51%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (420)
- 28%
- 100% (420)
- 28%
- 100% (420)
- 28%
- 100% (420)
- 28%
How Columbia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Columbia State Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbia State Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,734/year ($18,936 total). Graduates earn $40,256 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $935,624 in total earnings — a net gain of $916,688 (49.4× your investment). The median debt is $8,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $18,936
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $935,624
- Net Return
- $916,688
- ROI Multiple
- 49.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,734
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Columbia State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $100,948
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $884,949
- Investment Income
- $132,643
Top Programs
The fields Columbia State Community 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.
- Humanities 56%
- Health Professions 27% $64,110 early-career
- Business & Marketing 4% $28,834 early-career
- Education 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2% $34,239 early-career
- Criminal Justice 0%
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 State Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Columbia, Tennessee, Columbia State Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia State Community College is $18,112, 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 $4,734. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,083 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
Is Columbia State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia State Community College report median earnings of $40,256, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Columbia State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Columbia State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Columbia State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.06, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Columbia State Community College.
- Leeward Community CollegePearl City, HI · Close peer33% grad $39,899 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Roane State Community CollegeHarriman, TN · Close peer34% grad $39,407 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer32% grad $41,625 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kellogg Community CollegeBattle Creek, MI · Close peer28% grad $38,329 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Kapiolani Community CollegeHonolulu, HI · Close peer21% grad $44,599 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rock Valley CollegeRockford, IL · Close peer38% grad $39,158 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Columbia State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Columbia State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.06, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note