Columbia College - Virginia

$5,184 a year.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

For information on Columbia College's financial aid options for first-year students, check with the school directly.

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

Columbia College is a private institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Virginia as it does for students who live in 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 status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Columbia College International Student Tuition

Tuition at Columbia College is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Columbia College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Columbia College.

House and Food Costs at Columbia College

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Columbia College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Columbia College

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation.

The location of a college or university can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city is often expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. Columbia Collegeis located in a in Virginia.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Columbia College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Columbia College.

Total Cost of Columbia College

What will the cost of attending Columbia College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$5,184

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$5,184
Off-Campus	$5,184

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.

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Columbia College Financial Aid

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Columbia College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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

Columbia College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Columbia College's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Columbia College

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To learn more about Columbia College, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Columbia College