Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Private nonprofit midsize campus City: Midsize 4,950 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$22,715per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
41%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
45%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$23,879federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
34%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $23,879. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $277 a month, about $33,271 repaid in total, of which $9,392 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $169 a month — but the total climbs to $50,632, roughly $17,361 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Columbia College’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$25,826published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$25,826published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$45,37810 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
City: Midsize
Residential character
Primarily commuter — most students live off campus
Religious affiliation
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Most common fields of study

  • Business & marketing33%
  • Liberal arts & humanities25%
  • Health professions9%
  • Homeland security & law enforcement7%
  • Computer & information sciences6%
  • Public administration & social services6%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NAIA Division I

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Columbia College. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$277per month

Total repaid
$33,271
Interest paid
$9,392

Longer term — 25 years

$169per month

Total repaid
$50,632
Interest paid
$26,753

Borrow $23,879 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $17,361 more — $50,632 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Columbia College.