Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 42.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 41.7%
- Retention Rate
- 72.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $44,544
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 37.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $95,537 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $70,009 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $63,005 | |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $61,516 | $27,616 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,169 | $20,744 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $54,852 | $29,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $51,551 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $51,106 | $33,994 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $48,041 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,478 | $34,166 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,087 | $30,871 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $39,585 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $27,732 |
Outcomes Overview
Columbus State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $26,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 against their $44,544 median salary. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume about 7.4% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 94.6% employment rate reflects strong regional job placement, particularly in healthcare, education, and business sectors that dominate the Columbus-Auburn metropolitan area. Many graduates find positions with local employers like Aflac, TSYS, and the region's growing healthcare systems. While earnings lag behind national averages for college graduates, the low debt burden and high employment rate create a solid return on investment for students seeking affordable career preparation.
Verdict: Average return on investment.
Verdict: Average return on investment.