Columbia College

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Columbia College was $23,840 a year.

Tuition increased -1.97 percent in 2021, from $24,320 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3 percent a year.

If these numbers sound high, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Columbia College

Columbia College is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Missouri as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state can cut the cost of college tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition

Explore other Missouri colleges

Columbia College International Student Tuition

Tuition at Columbia College is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support:

On-campus jobs

Loans from outsideColumbia College

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

Columbia College Living Expenses and Other Costs

In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies.

Room and Board at Columbia College

Room and board at Columbia College is $8,500 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facility can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $5,100.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the meal plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Columbia College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. At Columbia College, you can expect to pay about $480 a year for books and supplies. This does not count the initial cost of a computer or other technology. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team, may mean additional fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. It depends on if you drive or fly to get to school, own a car, or if you prefer to walk or take public transportation to get around campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. The Columbia College campus is in a urban setting in Missouri, not far from St. Louis and Kansas City. First-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

For Columbia College students, $1,312 is good ballpark for transportation costs for on-campus students.

Other College Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

Let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, which can add up for both on-campus and off-campus students.

How much does Columbia College cost?

2021 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$23,840
Room and Board	$8,500
Books and Supplies	$480
Transportation	$1,312
Other expenses	$3,200

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$36,020
Off-Campus	$27,520

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Columbia College’s tuition and fees change based on: B Academic program for both full and part-time students Class time for both full and part-time students Course load for both full and part-time students

Columbia College Financial Aid

The majority of Columbia College undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2021, 535 of the 888 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Columbia College meets 62.8 percent of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $17,786 a year. Around 53 percent of Columbia College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Columbia College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,579 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,216
State Loans	$0
Columbia College-Specific Loans	$0
Private Loans	$20,177

Most Common Loans for Columbia College Students
Federal Loans	53%
Private loans	9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Columbia College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Columbia College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2021, Columbia College awarded 391 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $2,473,686 to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4,529,063 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Columbia College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Columbia College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Columbia College was $17,786 in 2021. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Columbia College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$18,234
Off-Campus	$9,734

What will attending Columbia College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Columbia College's net cost calculator on their website.

Columbia College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

The school offers a Prepaid Tuition Plan, which is a type of college savings plan that enables people to purchase future credits for their children at today's rate. It is best for people who are sure they or their child will attend a public school in their state.

Columbia College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Columbia College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups to cover some or all of the cost of tuition. Some schools offer them for employees and their family, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student

Columbia College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.