Columbia College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Columbia College
Set on a quiet, tree-lined campus in South Carolina's capital city, Columbia College is known for attentive teaching and a liberal-arts foundation that leads into practical, career-minded study. Students work in labs and studios, find tucked-away study nooks in the library, and use performance spaces, a fitness center, and welcoming residence halls. Support is built in, with advising, tutoring, writing help, counseling, and accessibility resources that feel personal rather than procedural.
Student life leans active and service oriented. There are clubs, leadership roles, intramurals on the lawn, and rec outings to nearby rivers and greenways. The culture is close-knit and purpose driven, with longstanding ceremonies that mark milestones and a reputation for cultivating confidence and voice. Career prep starts early through mentoring and a career center that connects students with state agencies, schools, nonprofits, health providers, and creative organizations. Around town, galleries, live music, and a lively food scene offer plenty to explore between classes.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Columbia College offers 39 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 429 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (10 programs, 198 graduates), Business (5 programs, 58 graduates), Security & Safety (3 programs, 42 graduates), Health (4 programs, 40 graduates) and Psychology (2 programs, 34 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (10 programs, 198 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General | 116 |
|
Master's
|
13.9999 |
| Special Education Teaching | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1001 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 20 |
|
Master's
|
13.0401 |
| General Education | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.0101 |
| Early Childhood Education | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Higher Education Administration | 6 |
|
Master's
|
13.0406 |
| Elementary Education | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| Drama and Dance Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1324 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
Business (5 programs, 58 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Organizational Leadership | 8 |
|
Master's
|
52.0213 |
| Business Administration and Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0299 |
| Hospitality Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 42 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0104 |
| Crisis and Emergency Management | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0302 |
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0203 |
Health (4 programs, 40 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
51.0203 |
| Health Administration and Management | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0701 |
| Public Health | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2201 |
| Registered Nursing | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
Psychology (2 programs, 34 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Forensic Psychology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2812 |
Public Services (2 programs, 15 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0701 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
44.0201 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
Interdisciplinary (2 programs, 7 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1701 |
| Business Analytics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.7102 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 6 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
Human Sciences (1 programs, 5 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development and Family Studies | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
19.0701 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Columbia College.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Columbia College
How much does it cost to attend Columbia College?
The annual tuition at Columbia College is $16,745 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $31,195 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,550 (on) / $6,600 (off) and books and supplies $960.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Columbia College offer?
Columbia College offers 39 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (10 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (3 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Columbia College?
Columbia College has an 95.8% acceptance rate and a 9.8% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,163
- Students admitted: 2,072
- Students enrolled: 204
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Columbia College?
Columbia College provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $13,961 and average loans of $5,656.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,675
- State/Local grants: $6,266
- Institutional grants: $7,376
- Federal loans: $5,656
The university supports 180 students with grants and 150 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Columbia College graduates?
Columbia College graduates earn a median salary of $45,863 after 6 years and $41,338 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $26,337 (25th percentile) to $55,228 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $62,300 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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