Invest in a Future That Pays You Back
Earn a degree from a respected, accredited private institution with more than 170 years of history shaping confident, capable leaders. We believe a Columbia College education should be both powerful and personal, and we're here to help you make it affordable.
Every student's financial situation is unique. Our team will partner with you to understand your goals, estimate your true cost, and maximize every opportunity for scholarships, grants, loans, and student work programs. You'll never navigate the financial process alone. We'll guide you step-by-step so you can focus on what matters most: building your future.
Start Planning With Support
Let's figure out the smartest way to invest in your education. Reach out to our team to get personalized information about paying for college, scholarships and grants you may qualify for, and what your actual cost could look like after aid.
You can also explore your estimate on your own using our Net Price Calculator. Two easy ways to get started:
Get Personalized Info Estimate Your Cost Now
Want to talk to someone? Call us at 803.786.3871.
Family Attending Too? Even Better.
When two or more family members enroll at the same time, each student receives a 10% annual family tuition discount. Family success is a team effort; we celebrate it here.
On-Campus Undergraduate Tuition
We recently reset our tuition costs to help make Columbia College a realistic option for all students. Our average financial aid package, which includes scholarships, grants, loans, and student work, makes attending Columbia College more affordable than many public schools.
90% of our undergraduate students do not pay full tuition thanks to financial aid assistance.
Incoming New Student Annual Tuition and Other Costs
- Full-Time Tuition: $23,556
- Part-Time Tuition: $782 per semester hour
- Resource & Technology Fee: $440 (Full-time)/$220 (Part-time) per semester
*The resource and technology fee supports all areas of students' academic success, including textbooks, tutoring services, general IT assistance, computer lab maintenance and upgrades, and library database access. Students receive free e-books but can purchase or rent physical copies for an additional cost.
Returning Student Annual Tuition and Other Costs
- Full-Time Tuition: $22,484
- Part-Time Tuition: $747 per semester hour
- Resource & Technology Fee: $420 (Full-time)/$210 (Part-time) per semester
*The resource and technology fee supports all areas of students' academic success, including textbooks, tutoring services, general IT assistance, computer lab maintenance and upgrades, and library database access. Students receive free e-books but can purchase or rent physical copies for an additional cost.
On-Campus Housing Costs (per semester)
- Standard Double: $2,750
- Cottages-Standard Double: $2,915
- Standard Single: $4,125
- Double as a Single (privatized room): $3,575
On-Campus Meal Plan Costs (per semester)
- 19 meals/week: $2,415 (Required for First Years)
- 15 meals/week: $2,360
- 10 meals/week: $2,255 (Seniors & Commuters Only)
- 5 meals/week: $1,045 (Commuters Only)
Housing Details Dining Details
Online & Evening Undergraduate Tuition
Online
Advance your education anywhere, anytime with our 100% online degrees. We also accept up to 90 credits for transfer, so you can complete your degree in less time at a lower cost.
- Tuition
- 2024-2025: $419 per credit hour
- 2025-2026: $427 per credit hour
- Resource & Technology Fee*
- 2024-2025: $26 per credit hour
- 2025-2026: $27 per credit hour
*The resource and technology fee supports all areas of students' academic success, including textbooks, tutoring services, general IT assistance, computer lab maintenance and upgrades, and library database access. Students receive free e-books but can purchase or rent physical copies for an additional cost.
Evening
Get your bachelor's degree exclusively in the evening, so you can stay focused on other priorities while charting a new and exciting path. We also accept up to 90 credits for transfer, so you can complete your degree in less time at a lower cost.
- Full-Time Tuition: $6,518 per semester
- Part-Time Tuition: $427 per credit hour
- Resource & Technology Fee*: $27 per credit hour
*The resource and technology fee supports all areas of students' academic success, including textbooks, tutoring services, general IT assistance, computer lab maintenance and upgrades, and library database access. Students receive free e-books but can purchase or rent physical copies for an additional cost.
Graduate Tuition
We offer online graduate programs at a highly competitive rate of $630 per semester hour, which includes free e-books. Advance your career, increase your earning potential, or change careers with a Columbia College graduate degree.
- Graduate Tuition
- 2024-2025: $600 per credit hour
- 2025-2026: $630 per credit hour
- Resource & Technology Fee*
- 2024-2025: $26 per credit hour
- 2025-2026: $27 per credit hour
*The resource and technology fee supports all areas of students' academic success, including textbooks, tutoring services, general IT assistance, computer lab maintenance and upgrades, and library database access. Students receive free e-books but can purchase or rent physical copies for an additional cost.
Other Resources
Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan
South Carolina's 529 college savings plan, Future Scholar, can be an important resource for paying for qualified college expenses, such as tuition, room and board, textbooks, and computers. Visit the Office of the State Treasurer's website for more information about the many benefits of this savings program.