Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 46%
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Columbia College, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 53% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 53rd percentile among similar colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MO wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Columbia College
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $67,917 | $81,090 | -12% | #283 of 459 | #235 | $25,718 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,271 | $78,632 | -12% | #779 of 966 | #647 | $33,110 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,770 | $74,816 | -10% | #112 of 166 | #92 | $26,033 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,748 | $64,997 | -5% | #579 of 1176 | #416 | $31,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,104 | $64,555 | -23% | #400 of 452 | #367 | $18,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $49,326 | $62,392 | -8% | #143 of 187 | #122 | $29,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,190 | $62,060 | +6% | #110 of 275 | #89 | $31,600 |
| Business/Commerce | $48,329 | $61,958 | -9% | #183 of 271 | #141 | $23,187 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,905 | $60,561 | -21% | #704 of 796 | #651 | $20,812 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,133 | $57,034 | +7% | #146 of 476 | #77 | $21,494 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,195 | $56,128 | +1% | #291 of 660 | #156 | $23,575 |
| Marketing | $40,263 | $51,037 | -26% | #491 of 516 | #472 | $22,000 |
| Sociology | $37,758 | $49,542 | -6% | #300 of 462 | #207 | $23,002 |
| Psychology | $35,685 | $49,166 | -3% | #590 of 1027 | #347 | $24,361 |
| Biology | $37,976 | $48,950 | -14% | #715 of 841 | #636 | $16,875 |
| History | $40,054 | $46,794 | -8% | #328 of 459 | #248 | $24,839 |
| Human Services | $37,571 | $46,785 | -4% | #60 of 94 | #34 | $30,612 |
| English Language and Literature | $24,240 | $36,714 | -24% | #547 of 576 | #524 | $26,023 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Columbia College Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 65202 (3.8% cap, Columbia)
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Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,268 | $12,268 |
| Room | $5,202 | |
| Board | $3,672 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $38,928 | $38,928 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Columbia College's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College?
How much does it cost to attend Columbia College?
What is the graduation rate at Columbia College?
Is Columbia College a good school?
- Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Columbia College?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Columbia College — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Columbia College
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology