Columbia College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Columbia College was $24,806 a year.

Tuition increased 113.18% in 2022–from $11,636 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

Columbia College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Columbia College is a private, religious institution, which means 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 insitutions often offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Missouri residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify 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 as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Missouri colleges

Tuition for International Students at Columbia College

Tuition at Columbia College is the same for all students.

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

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideColumbia College

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

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Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

Room and Board Costs at Columbia College

Housing and campus dining at Columbia College costs $8,670 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Columbia College's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

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

Cost of Books at Columbia College

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 textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Columbia College

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation 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 transportation budget. At Columbia College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area might be pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Columbia College campus is located in a urban setting in Missouri, not far from St. Louis and Kansas City.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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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 estimate 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.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$24,806
Room and Board	$8,670
Other expenses	$6,784

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$40,740
Off-Campus	$25,286

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: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •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

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Columbia College Financial Aid

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The majority of Columbia College undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2022, 539 of the 853 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Columbia College meets 70% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $19,957 a year. Around 62% 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 $23,582 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,251
Private Loans	$13,272

Most Common Loans for Columbia College Students
Federal Loans	56%
Private loans	15%

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 2022, Columbia College awarded 373 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $2.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $5.51 million 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 $19,957 in 2022. 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	$20,783
Off-Campus	$5,329

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 make more informed decisions about 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.

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

Does Columbia College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a 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.

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Learn More About Columbia College

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