by our College Data Analytics TeamThis guide covers the real cost of attending Columbia College, from sticker cost of attendance and projected degree cost to net price, debt at graduation, and aid breakdowns.
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Cost of attendance at Columbia College ranged from $19,688.00 and up to $27,670.00 across residency tiers.
The lower figure reflects the in-state rate and the higher figure the out-of-state rate: around $19,688.00 in-state, rising to $27,670.00 for those paying out-of-state rates.
Cost is shown below as the full sticker price, the average net price after aid, and the low-income net price.
| Tuition and fees | $1,282.00 |
| + Room, board & other expenses | $18,406.00 |
| Total cost | $19,688.00 |
| That is 2% above the national average net price. |
| Total cost | $19,688.00 |
| − Grants and scholarships | −$8,554.00 |
| Net price | $11,134.00 |
| That is 42% below the national average net price. |
| Total cost | $19,688.00 |
| − Grants and scholarships | −$9,775.00 |
| Net price | $9,913.00 |
| That is 49% below the national average net price. |
| Tuition and fees | $9,264.00 |
| + Room, board & other expenses | $18,406.00 |
| Total cost | $27,670.00 |
| That is 44% above the national average net price. |
| Total cost | $27,670.00 |
| − Grants and scholarships | −$8,554.00 |
| Net price | $19,116.00 |
| That is roughly at the national average net price. |
| Total cost | $27,670.00 |
| − Grants and scholarships | −$9,775.00 |
| Net price | $17,895.00 |
| That is 7% below the national average net price. | |
| Go deeper on the components with tuition and fees plus room and board. |
Costs have trended upward in recent years at a recent average of 8.0% per year, so the four-year total runs well above today’s cost. The tables below project the cost forward across a full degree, side by side for a low-income student with aid, a typical student with average aid, and a student paying full sticker price with no aid. The loan rows amortise the projected total over a ten-year, 6.8% repayment.
| Projected 4-year net costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| Freshman year | $10,707.00 | $12,025.00 | $21,264.00 |
| Senior year | $13,489.00 | $15,151.00 | $26,790.00 |
| Total 4-year net price | $48,248.00 | $54,191.00 | $95,825.00 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $18,381.00 | $20,645.00 | $36,506.00 |
| Total monthly payment | $555.00 | $624.00 | $1,103.00 |
| Total amount paid | $66,629.00 | $74,836.00 | $132,331.00 |
| Projected 2-year net costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| Freshman year | $10,707.00 | $12,025.00 | $21,264.00 |
| Senior year | $11,564.00 | $12,988.00 | $22,966.00 |
| Total 2-year net price | $22,270.00 | $25,013.00 | $44,230.00 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $8,484.00 | $9,529.00 | $16,850.00 |
| Total monthly payment | $256.00 | $288.00 | $509.00 |
| Total amount paid | $30,754.00 | $34,542.00 | $61,080.00 |
| Projected 4-year net costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| Freshman year | $19,328.00 | $20,646.00 | $29,885.00 |
| Senior year | $24,351.00 | $26,012.00 | $37,652.00 |
| Total 4-year net price | $87,098.00 | $93,041.00 | $134,675.00 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $33,181.00 | $35,445.00 | $51,306.00 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,002.00 | $1,071.00 | $1,550.00 |
| Total amount paid | $120,280.00 | $128,487.00 | $185,982.00 |
| Projected 2-year net costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| Freshman year | $19,328.00 | $20,646.00 | $29,885.00 |
| Senior year | $20,875.00 | $22,299.00 | $32,277.00 |
| Total 2-year net price | $40,202.00 | $42,945.00 | $62,162.00 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $15,316.00 | $16,361.00 | $23,682.00 |
| Total monthly payment | $463.00 | $494.00 | $715.00 |
| Total amount paid | $55,518.00 | $59,306.00 | $85,844.00 |
For the complete net-price picture, see the net-price section.
The net price is the real out-of-pocket cost — what families pay after grant and scholarship aid is applied. For most prospective students, net price gives a more realistic estimate than sticker tuition.
| Average net price (on-campus) | $11,316.00 |
| Average net price (off-campus) | $15,468.00 |
Net price is not the same for every family — it falls as financial need rises and grant aid increases. Here is the average net price for each family-income range:
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $14,182.00 |
| $30,000 to $48,000 | $17,022.00 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $17,735.00 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,215.00 |
Run your own numbers with the Columbia College Net Price Calculator, or contact the financial aid office.
Want to know how that aid is awarded? See the financial aid page.
The Department of Education default-rate tier for Columbia College is No Data.
For context on the loan portfolio, Stafford disbursements at Columbia College reach $106,099.00 covering 14 recipients.
Beyond the data above, it helps to ask a few questions when weighing Columbia College, the questions below are worth your time:
Each page below covers one part of paying for college in more detail:
Data sources. Figures on this page draw from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and MediaFactual editorial review. Net-price calculator and financial-aid office links are taken from the institution’s own published data.