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Columbia College

Columbia, SC·Private·www.columbiasc.edu/

Campus Identity

NAIAGraduate Programs

Columbia College is a small private nonprofit university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 1,343 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 94% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Columbia College is a small private nonprofit university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 1,343 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 94% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 55/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

94%
Acceptance Rate
2,634 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$20,080
In-State Tuition
+$800 fees
$20,080
Out-of-State Tuition
+$800 fees
$9,390
Room & Board
19 meals/week
1,343
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
9%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NAIA
Athletics
AAC
Selectivity94% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NAIA

AAC

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

113 miles

Isle of Palms, SC

Ski Access

137 miles

Sapphire Valley Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

61°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

137 mi away
8 skiable acres3 lifts
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

North Carolina

150 mi away
65 skiable acres4 lifts
Appalachian Ski Mtn.

North Carolina

151 mi away
27 skiable acres6 lifts

Nearest Beach

Isle of Palms, SC

Ocean access within 113.1 miles

113 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Columbia, SC

48°Jan52°Feb59°Mar67°Apr75°May81°Jun84°Jul82°Aug77°Sep67°Oct57°Nov50°Dec

Station: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OF SC · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

55/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety466954
46/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
69/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
54/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$20,080
Fees
$800
Room & Board
$9,390
Total
$30,270
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

65 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Education, OtherMaster's
150 grads/yr$52,401
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
30 grads/yr$59,371
Educational Administration and SupervisionMaster's
27 grads/yr$50,070
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
26 grads/yr$62,548
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
24 grads/yr$53,979

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Homeland Security
Bachelor's8 grads$71,888
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's26 grads$62,548
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Master's10 grads$61,821
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's30 grads$59,371
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's24 grads$53,979
Education, Other
Master's150 grads$52,401
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's27 grads$50,070
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's$47,462
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's14 grads$46,686
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's3 grads$44,280

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Columbia College located?

Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC. The main campus address is 1301 Columbia College Dr, Columbia, SC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College?

Columbia College has an acceptance rate of 94%, making it accessible. Out of 2,634 applicants, 2,474 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,343 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Columbia College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Columbia College charges $20,080/year in tuition. Including room and board ($9,390/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $20,880/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Columbia College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Columbia College have college sports?

Yes — Columbia College competes at the NAIA level in the AAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Columbia College the right fit for me?

Whether Columbia College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (94% admit rate), cost ($20,080/year out-of-state), campus culture in Columbia, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Columbia College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Columbia College directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Columbia, SC
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
AAC
School Year Weather
Warm · 61°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
55/100
Nearest Airport
Columbia, SC (CUB) · 6 mialso CAE (9 mi), MMT (16 mi)

Location

Columbia, SC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.