Columbia College
Columbia, South Carolina · Private, nonprofit · 1,343 undergraduates
Of 13 programs with reported earnings, 12 leave graduates out-earning a typical South Carolina high-school graduate (about $34,809/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 52 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $17,541 |
| $30k to $48k | $17,017 |
| $48k to $75k | $16,816 |
| $75k to $110k | $22,928 |
| $110k and up | $20,399 |
| All families (average) | $18,408 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, Other | Master's Degree | $52,401 | +$17,592 | clears the bar | $19,329 | 1.1 yrs |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | $50,070 | +$15,261 | clears the bar | $19,329 | 1.3 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $59,371 | +$24,562 | clears the bar | $19,261 | 0.8 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $62,548 | +$27,739 | clears the bar | $18,579 | 0.7 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $53,979 | +$19,170 | clears the bar | $21,046 | 1.1 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $32,207 | -$2,602 | falls short | $23,394 | n/a |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Master's Degree | $61,821 | +$27,012 | clears the bar | $14,405 | 0.5 yrs |
| Social Work | Bachelor's Degree | $44,276 | +$9,467 | clears the bar | $20,750 | 2.2 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's Degree | $46,686 | +$11,877 | clears the bar | $26,570 | 2.2 yrs |
| Homeland Security | Bachelor's Degree | $71,888 | +$37,079 | clears the bar | $25,122 | 0.7 yrs |
| Behavioral Sciences | Bachelor's Degree | $39,738 | +$4,929 | clears the bar | $18,760 | 3.8 yrs |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's Degree | $44,280 | +$9,471 | clears the bar | $21,880 | 2.3 yrs |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Master's Degree | $47,462 | +$12,653 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 54% of students receive Pell grants · 37% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.