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Columbia College

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

Founded in 1854 as a historically women’s liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Columbia College in South Carolina is recognized for its commitment to social justice, leadership development, and its successful transition to a fully coeducational model. The college features strong academic programs in teacher education, nursing and health sciences, criminal justice, and speech-language pathology. Campus life centers on a tight-knit, collaborative community where small class sizes foster close faculty mentorship and active engagement in service-oriented student organizations. Additionally, its location in South Carolina's capital city provides undergraduates with exceptional access to internships, clinical rotations, and student-teaching placements across state government, healthcare systems, and regional public schools.

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
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
$0–30k
$17,541
$30–48k
$17,017
$48–75k
$16,816
$75–110k
$22,928
$110k+
$20,399
Grants from the school
86% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $7,864
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
45%
Within 4 yrs
26%
Back for yr 2
60%
Transferred
35%
Pell students: 30.0% · others: 52.0% 
8 yrs after starting
54% graduated · 35% transferred · 11% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
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
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 93.7% · women 94.3% 
Yield: 8.5% of admitted students enroll 

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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%
Where first-years come from
In state (SC)
82.9%
Out of state
13.7%
International
2.4%

Most out-of-state first-years from: GA 7 · FL 4 · NC 4 · VA 3 · CO 2

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
  • 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
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?

omhu 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