Columbus State University
#3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,544 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,115 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $982,153.
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 42% — 27% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Columbus State University Matters
Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, GA 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,625
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Columbus State University
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
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 800–1060. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,115 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,544 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 36% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.16 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Columbus State University has an acceptance rate of 99%, making it one of the most accessible options for students seeking higher education. This low barrier to entry allows a diverse range of students to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment.
According to the latest Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, Columbus State does not have publicly available mobility rates, which makes it difficult to assess upward economic mobility for graduates. However, the school's focus on practical programs such as Health Professions and Criminal Justice may help prepare students for stable careers.
With a net price of $13,115 and a median debt of $26,000, students can expect a manageable financial commitment. Graduates earn an average of $44,544 after ten years. Those who thrive here are likely to be pragmatic and interested in fields that offer clear pathways to employment.
Rankings
- #3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- #9 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
- #12 Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia
- #12 Best Data Science Colleges in Georgia
- #13 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Georgia
- #13 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia
- #16 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbus State University 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 University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Columbus, Georgia, Columbus State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 977. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 977
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 800–1060
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,802
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 3,870
- Admitted
- 3,398
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 University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbus State University is $17,610, 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 $13,115. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,271 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,898
- Out-of-State
- $17,610
- Avg Net Price
- $13,115
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,271
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,873
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,786
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,329
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 Columbus State University — 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 Columbus State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbus State University report median earnings of $44,544, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,190
- 8 Years
- $41,799
- 10 Years
- $44,544
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (151)
- 18%
- 100% (151)
- 18%
- 100% (151)
- 18%
- 100% (151)
- 18%
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 University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbus State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,115/year ($52,460 total). Graduates earn $44,544 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,034,613 in total earnings — a net gain of $982,153 (19.7× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,460
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,034,613
- Net Return
- $982,153
- ROI Multiple
- 19.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,115
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
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 University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbus State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.78%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.8% 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 16.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.78%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $98,638
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,028,860
- Investment Income
- $-942,357
Top Programs
The fields Columbus State University 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.
- Business & Marketing 16% $62,647 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $66,740 early-career
- Criminal Justice 12% $35,271 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10% $65,175 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $24,337 early-career
- Psychology 5% $32,231 early-career
- Communications 5% $37,891 early-career
- Education 4% $44,210 early-career
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 Columbus State University'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbus State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Columbus, Georgia, Columbus State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 977. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbus State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbus State University is $17,610, 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 $13,115. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,271 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Columbus State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbus State University report median earnings of $44,544, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Columbus State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbus State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.78%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.8% 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 16.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Columbus State University? 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 University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), 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 Columbus State University.
- California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA · Close peer48% grad $47,626 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA · Close peer44% grad $47,021 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northeastern State UniversityTahlequah, OK · Close peer36% grad $45,379 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR · Close peer49% grad $41,766 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC · Close peer44% grad $43,407 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · Close peer54% grad $45,415 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Columbus State University? 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 University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), 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