At $9,921/yr net price, Columbia College graduates earn $22,160/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,921 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $39,684 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $22,160/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-11,840/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,940 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,637/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,213/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,900/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Certificate | $19,227 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Certificate | $17,950 |
The Risk Factor
72.3% of students at Columbia College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Columbia College's numbers point to a weak financial return. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit around $22,160 a year , below what many full-time hourly jobs pay, and low enough that the degree does little to lift your income. The 72% graduation rate is the one clear positive: you're likely to finish. But finishing here doesn't translate into strong pay.
The two programs with reported earnings , Somatic Bodywork and English Language and Literature , are both certificate tracks, and both land under $20,000 a year. There's no bachelor-level program data here to point you toward something that pays more. This is a for-profit two-year school in the Vienna, VA area, and the outcomes don't reflect the higher-wage jobs in that northern Virginia market.
The good news on risk: median debt is low at $7,940, so you won't leave buried in loans. That caps your downside. The problem is the upside. Even a small debt load is a bad deal if the earnings that follow barely clear entry-level wages you could get without the certificate.
On net price, families under $48k pay a bit over $9,000 a year, and it actually rises to about $12,900 in the $48k-$75k band , so a middle-income family pays more here than a lower-income one. Across all tiers, you're paying roughly $10,000 a year for training that leads to sub-$20,000 jobs.
This school fits you only if a specific certificate , bodywork or a focused English credential , leads to a job you already have lined up or a field you're committed to for non-financial reasons. If you're choosing based on income, the earnings here don't justify the cost, and you should look at programs with stronger pay data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia College Vienna worth the cost?
Columbia College Vienna's graduates earn only $22,160 ten years after starting, which is well below the national average for college graduates. While the net price is relatively low at $9,921 per year, the extremely low earnings outcomes make the financial return questionable.
What is the debt-to-income ratio for Columbia College graduates?
Columbia College graduates typically have $7,940 in median debt but earn just $22,160 annually after ten years. This creates a manageable debt load relative to the low earnings, though the overall income level remains concerning.
Which programs at Columbia College have the best ROI?
The top-earning program at Columbia College is Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services at $19,227 annually, followed by English at $17,950. Both programs produce earnings well below typical college graduate salaries.
How does Columbia College's graduation rate affect its value?
Columbia College has a 72.30% graduation rate, which is decent for completion but doesn't offset the low earnings outcomes. Students who do graduate still face significant income challenges compared to other college options.