Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Columbus State University is a public regional university located in Columbus, Georgia. Columbus State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Columbus State University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $41,096 10 years after enrolling, 31st in Georgia, and in the bottom 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Columbus State University bachelor students earn 10% less than the national average.
Columbus State University’s median net annual cost of $12,385 and average years to graduate of 5.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Columbus State University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Computer science, Comms & Media Studies, Biology, Criminal Justice, Business Administration - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$12,385
Average years to graduate
5.1
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Accounting
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 3.41
Education (subject specific)
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 3.69
Finance
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 4.37
Business and Commerce
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 4.46
Education
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 5.24
English Language & Lit
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 6.57
Sociology
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 6.9
Health & Fitness
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 7.6
Marketing
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 7.76
Psychology
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 11.98
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Columbus State University - Registered Nursing, Education, Criminal Justice, Educ. Administration, Business Administration, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Computer science
Rank: #30
Economic score: 0.28
Special Education
Rank: #175
Economic score: 0.7
Social Sciences, Other
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.71
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #205
Economic score: 0.77
Student Counseling
Rank: #250
Economic score: 1.31
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 5.1 years. 41% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Columbus State University is 5% lower than the state average, and 16% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Columbus State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 43% of the measured graduating class, 8% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Columbus State University graduates within 5.1 years.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Columbus State University’s economic mobility score of 22.78 is calculated by adjusting the 3.47 economic score of lower-income students by the 43% pell grant recipients within the student body. Columbus State University’s EMS of 22.78 ranks in the top 25% nationally. Please note that the economic mobility score considers only students that have graduated.
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Columbus State University pays $12,385 a year, $10,166 less than the $22,551 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $12,385
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Columbus State University, 94% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $12,385 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 52% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,188. This is 2% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,926
Pell grants
$4,744
State grants
$4,947
Institutional grants
$6,516
Columbus State University offers 9 online bachelor programs, all of which are hybrid format. At the master’s level Columbus State University offers 15 programs, all of which are hybrid format. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
24
Hybrid programs
24
Percentage of programs online
32%
Columbus State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 79% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 5,275 applicants, of which 4,142 were admitted and 1,205 enrolled. Columbus State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
75%
83%
Female
63%
59%
First time
55%
59%
In-state
92%
68%
1st generation
33%
35%
White
45%
52%
Black
41%
14%
Hispanic
7%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
4%
12%