Cost varies significantly by family income. Use the breakdown below to estimate your net price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at Columbia College
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$22K
+
Room
$9K
+
Books
$1,000
=
Sticker Price
$35,258
$22K+$9K+$1,000=$35,258
Your Family Income
Sticker
$35,258
−
Your Aid
$18,442
=
Net Price
$16,816
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
Columbia College Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$35,258
Tuition and Fees
$22,214
Room and Board
$9,390
Books and Supplies
$1,000
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$16,850
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$18,408
Columbia College Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$17,541
$30–48k
$17,017
$48–75k
$16,816
$75–110k
$22,928
$110k+
$20,399
Understanding Your Aid Package
Columbia College has a sticker price of $35,258 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $35,258/year
Average aid: $16,850 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$16,816/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$17,541/year
54% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
54%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
41%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$22,750
Range (25th–75th)$5,960 – $24,625
Median Parent PLUS Loans$13,551
Debt Manageability
0.43x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$41,338
Earnings Growth
+-10%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-3,357
44th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$26,337
25th %ile
$55,228
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia College Cost & Financial Aid
Columbia College's published tuition is $35,258 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $16,816—a difference of $18,442.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $17,541 at Columbia College. 54% of students receive Pell Grants.
Columbia College offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for Columbia College graduates is $22,750, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $241 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $20,399 at Columbia College—still $14,859 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
