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Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia · Public · 4-year · City

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At a glance

Average net price
$13,115What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
99%
Graduation rate
42%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
5,625
In-state tuition
$5,898Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$17,610
SAT midpoint
1,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$44,544Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$13,115

Better than 64% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

42%

Better than 25% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$44,544

Better than 16% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$26,000

Better than 6% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$21,676

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$13,115

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Columbus State University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time42%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return70%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$26,000
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$44,544

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Columbus State University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$74,454114
Computer and Information Sciences, General$56,66061
Management Information Systems and Services$53,1539
Accounting and Related Services$47,64623
Finance and Financial Management Services$46,81218
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$41,78031
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$40,61616
Criminal Justice and Corrections$39,71441
Business/Commerce, General$37,85255
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,56130
Sociology$34,89927
Marketing$34,22327
Communication and Media Studies$32,07853
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$30,38261
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$29,31044
Biology, General$28,94759
Psychology, General$25,49246
English Language and Literature, General$23,98728
Fine and Studio Arts$22,79823
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$18,76927
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralNot reported30
MusicNot reported20
HistoryNot reported16
ChemistryNot reported9
Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesNot reported9
Political Science and GovernmentNot reported8
Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementNot reported8
Special Education and TeachingNot reported7
MathematicsNot reported6
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesNot reported4
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesNot reported2
Medieval and Renaissance StudiesNot reportedNot reported
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reportedNot reported
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesNot reportedNot reported

All 34 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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