Columbia College
Columbia College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia College at a Glance
Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1854 by the United Methodist Church as a women's liberal arts college, Columbia College became fully coeducational in 2020 welcoming its first coed residential class in fall 2021. It also offers evening, graduate, and online programs for women and men.
1854
172 years old
$20M
$20 million (2024)
1,514
57
Identity
Is Columbia College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Columbia College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $41,338 — 23% below average — while paying $18,408/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $22,750 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Columbia College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbia College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in SC
Ranked #43 of 90 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #4 | Aquinas College | 48 | $16,626 | $49,584 |
| #5 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #43 | Columbia College | 25 | $18,408 | $41,338 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Columbia College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in SC.
Best Programs at Columbia College
The highest-earning program at Columbia College is Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other at $44,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other graduate from Columbia College earns $44,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,408/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | $44,700 | $44,700 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,100 | $36,100 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,100 | $34,100 | $22,812 |
| Social Work | $31,100 | $31,100 | $17,801 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,600 | $29,600 | $31,000 |
| Behavioral Sciences | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,575 |
| Psychology, General | $19,700 | $19,700 | $26,041 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Student Body
- 1,343 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,408
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,338
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750