At $23,650/yr net price, Columbia College graduates earn $41,338/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,338/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,650 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,338/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,338/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,126/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,687/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,849/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,163/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,106/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $21,046 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $41,205 | |
| Education, Other. | Master | $40,792 | $19,329 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $21,880 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $33,687 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $30,926 | $20,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,305 | $26,570 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
The Risk Factor
53.5% of students at Columbia College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Columbia College gives you a weak financial return. Ten years out, median earnings barely clear $41,000, while you leave with debt near $23,000 and pay net prices in the low-to-mid $20,000s every year. Only about half of students come back after the first year, and just over half graduate, so the risk of paying tuition without finishing a degree is real here.
Your major decides everything. Computer and Information Sciences pays the most, clearing $46,000, and Business Administration follows around $42,000 with manageable debt near $21,000. Those two are the safest bets for covering what you borrow. The teaching, social work, and communication paths all land in the low $30,000s. Social work graduates earn under $31,000 while carrying roughly the same debt as business majors, so that ratio works against you. If you want to teach or do social work, the Columbia, SC job market supports those roles, but the pay ceiling is low and your loan payments won't shrink to match.
The specific risk here is the combination of a 53% graduation rate and a 53% retention rate with full-price-range net costs. You can spend two years and $40,000-plus and walk away with debt and no credential.
The net price tiers are unusual: families earning under $30,000 pay about $23,000, more than families in the $30,000-48,000 band. Aid does not scale down cleanly with lower income here, so the lowest-income families get little price relief. Higher earners over $110,000 pay the most, near $27,000.
This school fits you if you enter set on computer science or business and plan to finish. If you're drawn to social work or communication, or you're paying from a low income and need aid that tracks your need, the numbers point you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia College worth the cost?
Columbia College's graduates earn $41,338 ten years after starting, which is below the national average for college graduates. With median debt of $22,750 and a 53% graduation rate, the return on investment is modest at best.
What are the best paying majors at Columbia College?
Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn the most at $46,087 annually, followed by Business Administration at $42,123. Communication and Media Studies has the lowest earnings at $33,993, making program choice important for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Columbia College students graduate with?
The median debt for Columbia College graduates is $22,750, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, nearly half of students don't graduate, meaning some take on debt without earning a degree.
Does Columbia College have good financial aid?
The average net price is $23,650 per year after financial aid, making it more affordable than many private colleges. The combination of lower costs and modest earnings potential means students typically see reasonable debt-to-income ratios if they graduate.