Columbia, MO · Private University
Is Columbia College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,378
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$24,326
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,326
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$97,304
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.86x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
45.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,879
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$24,051
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Columbia College graduates earn $378 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Columbia College ranked by graduate earnings
30 graduates
50 graduates
61 graduates
47 graduates
67 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Columbia College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Columbia College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $71,271) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $24,240) is $47,031/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI(1yr data) | $71,271 | 2.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $67,437 | 2.8x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,945 | 2.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $57,468 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,909 | 2.3x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $54,280 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,404 | 2.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $51,601 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,171 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $49,234 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $47,950 | 2.0x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,907 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $47,821 | 2.0x |
| History | $40,667 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $38,279 | 1.6x |
| Human Services, General | $37,225 | 1.5x |
| Psychology, General | $36,673 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $24,240 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Columbia College offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,378 10 years after starting, $378 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.4 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.