Columbus State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Columbus State University students was $4,371 a year for in-state students and $15,425 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the displayed price of tuition does not give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 15,425 per year for tuition at Columbus State University.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Columbus State University

Columbus State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $4,371 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered Georgia-residents, out-of-state tuition is $15,425 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Georgia colleges

Is Columbus State University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Columbus State has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Columbus State University can expect to pay around $15,425 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Columbus State-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Columbus State:

•Columbus State-specific scholarships

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

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Columbus State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Columbus State.

House and Food Costs at Columbus State

Housing and campus dining at Columbus State is $12,700 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat in the Columbus State's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $8,716.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Columbus State

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Columbus State

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Columbus State, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact your transportation budget. 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 an urban area may be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Columbus State Universityis located in a suburban setting in Georgia, not far from Atlanta.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Columbus State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Columbus State.

Total Cost of Columbus State

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$4,371
Out-of-State Tuition	$15,425
Room and Board	$12,700
Board Only	$2,906
Other expenses	$2,170

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

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Columbus State University

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In 2022, 3,084 of the 6,427 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Columbus State meets 55% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,851 a year. Around 71% of Columbus State undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Columbus State graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,554 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$28,755
State Loans	$5,937
Columbus State-Specific Loans	$2,772
Private Loans	$24,250

Most Common Loans for Columbus State Students
Federal Loans	70%
State loans	3.35%
Institutional Loans	0.18%
Private loans	0.37%

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 Columbus State financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Columbus State University

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 2022, Columbus State awarded 2,182 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $14.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $14.34 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Columbus State University

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 Columbus State 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 Columbus State was $10,851 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Columbus State seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$869
Net In-state, Off-campus	$2,156
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$22,774

What will attending Columbus State 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 Columbus State's net cost calculator on their website.

Columbus State University 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.

Columbus State Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

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Learn More About Columbus State University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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