At $4,576/yr net price, Columbia State Community College graduates earn $40,256/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,256/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,576 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,256/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,256/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,657/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,253/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,240/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,240/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,956 | $11,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $44,858 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $37,328 | $5,375 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $28,816 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $28,443 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,565 | $7,601 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,267 |
The Risk Factor
30.8% of students at Columbia State Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Columbia State Community College keeps costs low, and that changes the math on everything else. You pay $4,576 a year in net price and carry a median debt of $8,500 by graduation. Against median earnings of about $40,000 ten years out, that debt is small enough to pay down without much strain. The financial return here is solid for a two-year school, but only if you finish and pick the right program.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate degree in registered nursing pays roughly $54,000, and even with the highest debt load on campus at $11,500, that gap closes fast. Allied health follows, with the associate paying close to $45,000 and the certificate version around $37,000 on just $5,375 of debt. If you want the fastest payback, that allied health certificate is hard to beat.
The computer sciences and veterinary technology associate degrees are where the return gets weak. Both land near $28,000, below the school's own median. You would leave with a credential that pays less than half of what nursing pays, so think hard before choosing these tracks here.
The biggest risk is the 30.8% graduation rate. Nearly seven in ten starters do not finish, and dropping out means you take on cost and time with no degree to show for it. The low sticker price limits your downside, but a non-completion still stings.
Net price barely moves across income levels, from about $3,657 under $30k to $7,240 at the $75-110k tier. This school is a good fit if you are aiming for nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. If you want computing or veterinary work, or you are unsure you will complete, look at your options carefully first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia State Community College worth the cost?
Columbia State Community College offers good value with a low net price of $4,576 annually and moderate debt levels around $8,500. However, the 30.8% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Columbia State Community College?
Nursing programs at Columbia State lead earnings at around $54,000 annually, followed by allied health fields at $37,000-$45,000. Computer science and veterinary tech programs produce lower earnings around $28,000, which may not justify even the low costs for some students.
How much debt do Columbia State Community College graduates have?
Columbia State graduates typically carry $8,500 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year institutions. The low debt load makes the financial risk relatively small, even if career earnings are modest.
Do Columbia State Community College graduates earn good salaries?
Columbia State graduates earn $40,256 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a community college but varies dramatically by program. Nursing graduates significantly outperform this average, while other programs may struggle to provide strong wage premiums.