Columbia College

Columbia, SC

Private nonprofit small campus City: Midsize 1,343 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$18,408per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
65%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
54%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$22,750federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
44%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $22,750. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $264 a month, about $31,698 repaid in total, of which $8,948 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $161 a month — but the total climbs to $48,238, roughly $16,540 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
$22,214published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$22,214published 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.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
94%

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$41,33810 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 residential — many students live on campus
Religious affiliation
United Methodist

Most common fields of study

  • Business & marketing16%
  • Homeland security & law enforcement16%
  • Education16%
  • Health professions13%
  • Psychology12%
  • Biological & biomedical sciences5%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NAIA Division I

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • 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

$264per month

Total repaid
$31,698
Interest paid
$8,948

Longer term — 25 years

$161per month

Total repaid
$48,238
Interest paid
$25,488

Borrow $22,750 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $16,540 more — $48,238 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.