Columbus State Community College
Columbus State Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbus State Community College at a Glance
Columbus State Community College (CSCC) is a public community college in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Founded as Columbus Area Technician's School in 1963, it was renamed Columbus Technical Institute in 1965 and was renamed again to its current name in 1987. The college has grown from an initial enrollment of 67 students in 1963 to its current enrollment of over 27,000 students across two campuses, nine regional learning centers, and online courses.
1963
63 years old
$37M
$37 million
26,900
Identity
Is Columbus State Community College Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Columbus State Community College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $39,435 — 27% below average — while paying $8,400/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 28% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Columbus State Community College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbus State Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #63 of 94 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #63 | Columbus State Community College | 33 | $8,400 | $39,435 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Columbus State Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in OH.
Best Programs at Columbus State Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Columbus State Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,400/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
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Columbus, OH
- Student Body
- 17,549 students
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,400
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $39,435
- Median Student Debt
- $8,749