College Search
Columbus State University

Columbus State University

Columbus, GA · City · 5,625 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,115
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
42%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$44,544
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
99%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Columbus State University, a public institution in western Georgia, is best known for its premier creative arts education anchored by the prestigious Schwob School of Music, alongside strong professional programs in nursing, education, and business. A defining feature of the university is its dual-campus layout, which seamlessly embeds students into the community through the RiverPark Campus located in the historic arts and theatre district of downtown Columbus. Campus life offers an engaging, close-knit environment where students balance competitive NCAA Division II athletics with unique local recreation, including the world’s longest urban whitewater rafting course just steps from their classes.

Wikipedia:Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, Georgia, United States. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Location
Columbus, GA, 31907-5645 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
84 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$5,898$17,610
Housing & food (on campus)$11,720$11,720
Books & supplies$1,600$1,600
Cost of attendance$27,478$33,388 est.
Average net price$13,115Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$17,610
In-state: $5,898
Housing & food (on campus)$11,720
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$33,388 est.
In-state: $27,478
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $13,115
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: columbusstate.edu
How it’s made up · in-state
Tuition$4,536
Fees$1,410
Housing$7,390
Food$5,334
Books & supplies$1,760
Personal expenses$4,280
Transportation$2,768
Total published by the school$27,478
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,271
$30–48k
$11,873
$48–75k
$13,786
$75–110k
$16,542
$110k+
$18,329
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
42%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
23%
Back for yr 2
70%
Transferred
33%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
46% graduated · 35% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 18% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,190
10 yrs after entry$44,544
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$6.3k–$28.3k
90th percentile$39,853
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
99%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
977
R 440–530 · M 360–530
ACT midpoint
21
Comp 16–22 · E 14–22 · M 16–22
SAT middle 50%: 800–1060
40080012001600

Wondering if Columbus State University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Columbus State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
45%
First-gen
33%
Family income
$32,787
Independent
31%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
28%
Race & ethnicity
White
42%
Hispanic
9%
Black
37%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$39,190
After 10 yrs
$44,544
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing114
Computer and Information Sciences, General61
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General61
Biology, General59
Business/Commerce, General55
Communication and Media Studies53
Psychology, General46
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness44
Criminal Justice and Corrections41
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods31
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General30
Business Administration, Management and Operations30
English Language and Literature, General28
Sociology27
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft27
Marketing27
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$104M
Full-time faculty
59%
Faculty salary
$8,802/mo
Teaching spend
$7,245
per student
Federal loans
38%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Columbus State University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search