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Columbia College

Columbia, SC · City · 1,343 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$18,408
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
45%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
50% typical
$41,338
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$48,772 typical
94%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Columbia College in South Carolina is a historic liberal arts institution best known for its evolution from a premier women's college to a vibrant, coeducational hub dedicated to student leadership and social justice. The college boasts highly regarded programs in education, nursing, and business, where students receive deeply personalized attention from faculty in collaborative, small-classroom environments. Campus life is defined by a close-knit, supportive culture where students actively engage in diverse student organizations, competitive NAIA athletics, and hands-on community service in the local Columbia area. What truly sets the college apart is its commitment to real-world preparation through distinctive initiatives like the McNair Center, which equips students with practical leadership and public service skills to make a tangible impact after graduation.

Location
Columbia, SC, 29203 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
179 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$22,214
Housing & food (on campus)$9,390
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$45,064
Average net price$18,408
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$22,214
Housing & food (on campus)$9,390
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$45,064
Average net price$18,408
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.columbiasc.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Columbia College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$24,734
Fees$1,760
Housing$6,050
Food$5,312
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$3,756
Transportation$2,192
Total published by the school$45,064
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,541
$30–48k
$17,017
$48–75k
$16,816
$75–110k
$22,928
$110k+
$20,399
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
45%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
26%
Back for yr 2
60%
Transferred
35%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
54% graduated · 35% transferred · 11% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$45,863
10 yrs after entry$41,338
Debt
Median at graduation$22,750
Monthly payment$241
Middle 50% owe$6k–$24.6k
90th percentile$34,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If Columbia College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 21%Women 79%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
54%
First-gen
41%
Family income
$34,742
Independent
61%
Age at entry
29.0
Part-time
29%
Race & ethnicity
White
37%
Hispanic
10%
Black
40%
Asian
2%
Two or more
1%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
6%
Varsity sports
NAIA Division I · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$45,863
After 10 yrs
$41,338
Criminal Justice and Corrections30
Business Administration, Management and Operations24
Psychology, General20
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services15
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods14
Education, General13
Special Education and Teaching11
Social Work9
Biology, General8
Homeland Security8
Health and Medical Administrative Services8
Computer and Information Sciences, General7
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology7
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness6
Community Organization and Advocacy5
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$20M
Full-time faculty
34%
Faculty salary
$5,937/mo
Teaching spend
$7,242
per student
Federal loans
65%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (small programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Columbia College 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.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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Scholarship search