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Columbia College

Columbia, SC · City · 1,343 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
City
Small (<3k)
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
Cost of attendance
$35,258
Avg net price
$18,408
Room & board
$9,390
Tuition
$22,214
Books & supplies
$1,000/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$17,541
$30–48k
$17,017
$48–75k
$16,816
$75–110k
$22,928
$110k+
$20,399
Admissions
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Not required

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Essay Requirements

Columbia College accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
45%
4-yr on-time completion
26%
1st-yr retention
60%
Transfer-out rate
35%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
54%
Transferred
35%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
11%
Median earnings (6yr)
$45,863
Median earnings (10yr)
$41,338
Median debt
$22,750
Monthly loan payment
$241
Debt range (25th–75th)
$5,960$24,625
Debt (90th percentile)
$34,000
Student Body
Men 21%Women 79%
12
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
54%
First-generation
41%
Median family income
$34,742
Independent students
61%
Avg age at entry
29.0
Part-time students
29%
Race & ethnicity
White
37%
Hispanic
10%
Black
40%
Asian
2%
Two or more
1%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
6%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$45,863
10 years after entry
$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
Endowment
$20M
Classification
Master's (Small)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions
Full-time faculty
34%
Avg faculty salary
$5,937/mo
Instructional spend/student
$7,242
Federal loan rate
65%

Wondering if Columbia College is the right fit for you?

Scout 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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