Columbus State University
Columbus State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbus State University at a Glance
Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, Georgia, United States. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
1958
68 years old
$105M
$104.7 million (2025)
7,610
6,008 undergrad · 1,602 grad
300
132 acres
Identity
Is Columbus State University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Columbus State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,544 — 17% below average — while paying $13,115/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 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 99% 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 $26,000 representing 58% 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 Columbus State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbus State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #78 of 136 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 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #78 | Columbus State University | 35 | $13,115 | $44,544 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Columbus State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in GA.
Best Programs at Columbus State University
The highest-earning program at Columbus State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $54,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Columbus State University earns $54,100, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,930 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,115/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,100 | $54,100 | $20,930 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,500 | $51,500 | $31,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $38,600 | $38,600 | $26,691 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,664 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,100 | $36,100 | $31,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $35,800 | $35,800 | $27,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,900 | $34,900 | $27,375 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,700 | $32,700 | $30,725 |
| History | $29,600 | $29,600 | $35,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,900 | $28,900 | $28,000 |
| Sociology | $27,900 | $27,900 | $28,767 |
| Marketing | $25,700 | $25,700 | $27,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $30,631 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $28,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $23,700 | $23,700 | $25,937 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,700 | $23,700 | $24,564 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $27,052 |
| Biology, General | $21,700 | $21,700 | $25,596 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,100 | $18,100 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Columbus, GA
- Student Body
- 5,625 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,115
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,544
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000