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Columbia College - South Carolina

Columbia, SC

Columbia College is a private liberal arts college located in Columbia, South Carolina. It was founded in 1854 and has since become one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the state. The college offers a comprehensive range of programs and degrees in various fields including arts and sciences, business administration, education, and more. With a commitment to providing a personalized education experience, Columbia College emphasizes small class sizes and individual attention from faculty members.

At Columbia College, students are immersed in a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The college offers a diverse range of academic programs, allowing students to explore and pursue their interests across disciplines. The faculty at Columbia College are accomplished scholars who are passionate about their subjects and committed to helping students succeed. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, students benefit from close interaction with professors, who act as mentors and provide guidance throughout their academic journey.

The college also offers various extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and sports teams, which provide students with opportunities to engage in social activities, develop leadership skills, and enhance their personal growth. Columbia College is known for its commitment to service and community engagement. The college encourages students to become active citizens and contribute to the wider community through volunteer work and service-learning opportunities.

Overall, Columbia College provides a welcoming and student-centered environment where individuals can thrive academically, socially, and personally. With its strong reputation, comprehensive academic programs, and commitment to personalized education, Columbia College is an excellent choice for students seeking a well-rounded and transformational college experience.

Located in Columbia, SC and set in a suburban environment, Columbia College - South Carolina is a private comprehensive higher education institution. It has a campus size of 59 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia College - South Carolina is 56% and the six-year graduation rate is 55%.

Here are some recent information on important things to consider about Columbia College - South Carolina.

Quick Facts

1,173

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

98%

Acceptance Rate

$20,450

Tuition

11:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

55%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most vital information you need to know about admission at Columbia College - South Carolina.

According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,134 in 2023. Columbia College - South Carolina has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.

Test Scores

7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 6% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 16% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 38% between 1,000 and 1,199, 38% between 800 and 999, and 8% between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 8, 25 in the range between 18-23 and 67 between 12-17.

The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2023 was 15 while the average GPA was 2.97. The SAT Critical Reading average score was 520 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 510.

Average Test Scores Graph

Retention Rate

What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.

The freshman retention rate for Columbia College - South Carolina was 56% in 2023.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 55%.

Student Body

It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.

Main Student Body

The total number of students enrolled at Columbia College - South Carolina in 2023 was 1,514.

That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 15. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,173, 11 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 185.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 157 male and 800 female full-time students in 2023. 29 full-time graduate men and 138 full-time graduate women attended this school.

Student Population Diversity

Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Columbia College - South Carolina.

This school had 20 Asian students and 435 Afro-American students in 2023. 118 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 16 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 80 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.

Tuition and Fees

If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Columbia College - South Carolina is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.

Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $20,450 in 2023. Since Columbia College - South Carolina is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2023 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $800.

Books and Supplies

The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial element. The estimated price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,240.

Boarding

The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?

In 2023, room and board cost at Columbia College - South Carolina amounted to $8,400 a year. If you only needed a dorm room, it cost $4,150 for the 2023 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,990.

Tuition $ 20,450
Room and Board $ 8,400
Book and Supplies $ 1,240
Total Expense $ 30,090

Financial Aid

Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Columbia College - South Carolina, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.

The most recent records show that 149 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,145.

Need-based

Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.

There were 640 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia College - South Carolina is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 688. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $2,795,137, and state $2,784,106. The students of Columbia College - South Carolina received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,704,688, and external in the amount of $124,065.

$6,885

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

87 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2023. 22 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $471,287. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $32,037 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).

Majors

Faculty

11:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.

In 2023, this ratio at Columbia College - South Carolina was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 78. This number included 69 men and 110 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Columbia College - South Carolina.

Student Population Diversity Graph

0
100
0
100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about students' life at Columbia College - South Carolina.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.

There are 55 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. For students looking to explore media and communication, Columbia College - South Carolina publishes its own newspaper.

Student Services

Columbia College - South Carolina provides a number of services needed for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.

There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Columbia College - South Carolina.

All in all, campus life at Columbia College - South Carolina is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Columbia College - South Carolina.

Career Counselling

At Columbia College - South Carolina, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to full-time undergraduates only at this school.

FAQ

Columbia College - South Carolina is located in Columbia, SC.

Columbia College - South Carolina offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.

According to the latest information, the tuition for Columbia College - South Carolina is 20,450 USD a year.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Columbia College - South Carolina is 98%.

According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Columbia College - South Carolina is 56%.

Contact Information

Columbia College - South Carolina,

1301 Columbia College Drive

Columbia, SC

29203-5998

803 786-3012

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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