At $11,889/yr net price, Columbus State University graduates earn $44,544/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,544/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,889 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,556 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,544/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,544/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,370/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,797/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,287/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,598/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,428/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
41.7% of students at Columbus State University 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
Columbus State University gives you a moderate financial return that depends heavily on your major. At around $11,900 a year in net price and $26,000 in median debt, the cost stays reasonable for a public school, but the $44,544 median earnings ten years out sit low enough that your program choice makes or breaks the math.
Nursing is the clear winner here. You earn the most of any bachelor's program and carry the lightest debt load, a combination that pays back fast. Computer and information sciences pays nearly as well, but you borrow close to $30,000 to get there, so the return comes slower. The two business tracks are where the numbers turn weak. You earn under $40,000 while borrowing around $27,000, meaning your debt nearly matches a full year of pay. Mathematics lands in the middle on earnings but has no debt figure listed.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 42% of students graduate, and 27% don't return after their first year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings, and that outcome is common here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,400 to $10,800 a year. Above $75,000, that jumps to roughly $15,500. The gap is small in absolute dollars, so this school stays affordable across income levels.
Columbus State fits you if you're aiming at nursing or computing and can commit to finishing. If you're drawn to a general business degree, weigh the low starting pay against the debt carefully, and look elsewhere if you can find a program with stronger earnings for the same cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus State University worth the cost?
Columbus State University offers decent value with a low net price of $11,889 per year, but the 10-year earnings of $44,544 are below average for college graduates. The computer science program shows strong returns at $95,537, while other majors struggle to justify the investment.
What are the highest paying majors at Columbus State University?
Computer and Information Sciences leads with $95,537 in median earnings, followed by Criminal Justice at $70,009. Business and education programs hover around $63,000, which provides modest returns given the time and cost investment.
How much debt do Columbus State University graduates have?
Columbus State University graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with overall graduate earnings averaging $44,544, loan repayment may still strain budgets for graduates in lower-paying fields.
What is the graduation rate at Columbus State University?
Columbus State University has a 41.7% graduation rate, meaning most students who enroll do not finish their degree. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without the benefit of a degree.