Columbus State Community College
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $814,674.
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What The Data Says
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
Graduation of 28% — 51% below the national average.
Every $1 invested returns $25.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
Why Columbus State Community College Matters
Columbus State Community College is a public college in Columbus, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 17,549
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Columbus 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 $8,400 a year after grants and scholarships — 51% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,435 ten years after enrolling — 3% below the typical college, against $8,749 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.18 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 17,500 students, Columbus State Community College is a solid choice for those looking to dive into practical education without the weight of a four-year commitment. It stands out for its diverse array of programs, including Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, and Computer Science & IT. This makes it a good fit for students who want to explore different fields or gain specific skills needed for the workforce.
When we look at what students achieve after graduation, the numbers tell a positive story. Graduates earn an average of $39,435 within ten years of completing their studies. This is a crucial point to consider, especially when balanced against the cost of education. With a net price of $8,400 after aid, Columbus State makes it relatively affordable for many, particularly those who may qualify for financial assistance as indicated by the 26% of students receiving Pell Grants.
In terms of student experience, those who thrive here are often those who appreciate a practical, hands-on approach to learning. The median debt of $8,749 suggests that many students are managing their finances wisely while pursuing their education. It’s a community where students can find their path, gain valuable skills, and transition smoothly into the workforce, all while keeping an eye on their financial health.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbus 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 Columbus State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Columbus State Community College, located in Columbus, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 28%.
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 Columbus State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending Columbus State Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $11,224 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $8,400 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,777 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $8,749.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Columbus State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbus State Community College report median earnings of $39,435; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How Columbus 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 Columbus State Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbus State Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,400/year ($33,600 total). Graduates earn $39,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $848,274 in total earnings — a net gain of $814,674 (25.2× your investment). The median debt is $8,749, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
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 Columbus State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbus 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 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,400, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Columbus State Community College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 23 patents tied to its graduates.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Columbus State Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Columbus State Community College's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbus State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Columbus State Community College, located in Columbus, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbus State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Columbus State Community College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $11,224 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $8,400 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,777 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $8,749.
Is Columbus State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Columbus State Community College report median earnings of $39,435; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Does Columbus State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes +
Columbus 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 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,400, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Columbus 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 high at Columbus State Community College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.18 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Columbus State Community College.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Columbus 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 high at Columbus State Community College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.18 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note