
About
Columbia College, located in Columbia, Missouri, was founded 1851 and has been providing a quality education to students for over a century and a half. The school was originally founded as Christian Female College and was the first such college to be established west of the Mississippi River. The school became a four year institution in 1970, after nearly 120 years as a two years women's institution, and it was during this time that school became known as Columbia College. Though the school maintains a relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), it is nonsectarian and admits students from all denominations. The school currently operates 34 campuses nationwide, with an enrollment of over 17,000 student, including students enrolled in the school's online campus.
Academics
Columbia College offers degrees in a variety areas, allowing students to choose a program that best reflects their needs and goals. Associate degrees are offered , providing study over the course of two years in a given field. Bachelor degrees are obtained over the course of four years through the completion of lower and upper division courses, general education classes and electives. Master degree programs are also available for student though the main Columbia campus, though the admissions requirements typically involve high scores on graduate level exams, an appropriate degree earned, and a strong academic record.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students looking to enroll at Columbia College will find that the admissions process is moderately selective. Students must complete the application for admission as well as provide the appropriate transcripts and test scores which will be used to measure a student's academic ability. The submitted information will be reviewed by an admissions committee provide a final decision regarding enrollment, after which students will be notified and those admitted provided the necessary information for beginning their college experience. Individuals pursuing a two year education or taking specific courses online or at branch campus will not have the same stringent review process when being considered for admission.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Students in need of aid must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used to determine the tuition needs of the student, aid program eligibility and monetary awards. Financial aid must be reapplied prior to the start of each academic year. Students may be randomly chosen to provide additional financial information in order to verify the FAFSA's accuracy due to new federal regulations for aid. Scholarships from sources other than the school may be applied for separately and are awarded for an extensive of reasons using varying criterion to determine winners.
Athletics
The Columbia College Cougars participate in intercollegiate athletics through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the American Midwestern Conference. Athletics are available through the school's main campus and allow students to participate in a forum of healthy competition and develop skills and habits that are useful in one's personal, academic and professional life. These skills and habits include things such as teamwork, discipline, leadership, responsibility and good health. Students will also experience the camaraderie associated with experiencing the shared successes and failures with their teammates. Additionally, participating students must maintain a minimum GPA to continue participation and balance their schedule with workouts and practice in order to continue their primary goal of completing their education.
Athletic programs offered include:
- Basketball
- Cross Country/Distance Track
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may provide a better idea of the students Columbia College accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Columbia College has a total student population of about 15,000, with undergraduate students making up about 94% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The items listed below are for informational purposes only and may not represent current tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- The estimated tuition range is around $7,000-$8,400 per year
- Part time students pay in the range of $260 to $310 per unit
- Some programs may have a frozen tuition rate, which means the tuition will stay the same for up to five years.
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 85% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 81% | $6,158 |
Receiving Student Loans | 62% | $5,977 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Columbia College may provide services like those listed below:- Distance learning
- Classes offered on nights and weekends
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Employment search assistance
Graduation Rates
Columbia College has an overall graduation rate which is approximately 41%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 25% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 9% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 4% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- * Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1995)
Intercollegiate Athletics
Columbia College is a Member of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with many of the sports being in the NAIA Division I classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Basketball (American Midwest Conference)
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Columbia College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (A, B, M)
- Business Administration (B)
- Human Resources (B)
- Accounting (B)
- Finance (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Information Systems (B)
- International Business (B)
- Entrepreneurship
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B)
- Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (A, B)
- Computer Science (B)
Education
Engineering
- Pre-Engineering (A)
English Language and Literature
- English (B)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- United States Studies (B)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Healthcare Administration (B)
History
- History (B)
- Military History (M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (A, B)
- Liberal Arts (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Studies (A)
- Environmental Science (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Law and Justice Administration (A, B, M)
- Forensic Science (B, C)
- Fire Services Administration (A)
Social Sciences
- Sociology (B)
- Political Science (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Graphic Design (B)
- Painting (B)
- Art Studies (B)
- Photography (B)
- Printmaking
- Ceramic Arts
- Music
Other 4-Year Private Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Columbia College.
- Lincoln University - Jefferson City in Jefferson City, MO (28 miles away)
- Truman State University in Kirksville, MO (86 miles away)
- Harris - Stowe State University in Saint Louis, MO (115 miles away)
- Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL (136 miles away)
- Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO (143 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Review a complete list of all the Missouri colleges
- Browse our list of private colleges in Missouri
- Compare other Missouri Christian and Bible Colleges
Data Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page has been obtained from Institution, State, and Federal data sources, including the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Survey 2010-2016. Information should be solely used for informational purposes only and may not be accurate for the current year. Contact Columbia College for official up-to-date information.