Columbia College
Columbia, SC
Columbia, founded in 1854, is a church-affiliated college for women. Its 33-acre campus is located on the north side of Columbia.
Website: www.columbiasc.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Moderately difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 87% of 880 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Regular Admission Deadline
- May 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.72
- SAT Math
- 460-540 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
-
520 average
490-580 range of middle 50% - ACT Composite
- 20 average
17-21 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $33,170
- Tuition and Fees
- $19,500
- Room and Board
- $7,900
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 82%
- Average Freshman Award
- $21,723
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $25,333
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 55
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 28% of classes
10-19 students: 47% of classes
20-29 students: 24% of classes
30-39 students: 1% of classes
Campus Life
- Columbia Population
- 133,358
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
-
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 29% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Mascot
- Koalas
- Sororities
- Fraternities
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.8% American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.7% Asian
34.0% Black/African-American
3.7% Hispanic/Latino
3.3% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
56.1% White
1.3% Unknown - International Students
- 3.1% from 21 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 71.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.6%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 93%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Moderately Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Science | 2 | |
Foreign Language | 2 | |
Social Studies | 2 | |
History | 1 | |
Academic Electives | 2 |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Considered if submitted | July 1 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | Not used if submitted | |
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Not used ACT: Not used |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- 1301 Columbia College Drive
- City, State, Zip
- Columbia, SC 29203-5998
- Phone
- (803) 786-3871
- Fax
- (803) 786-3674
- admissions@columbiasc.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- May 1
- Application Fee
- No fee required
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- Not reported
- Accept Offer of Admission
- By May 1 or within 4 weeks if notified after May 1
- Waiting List Used
- No
- Defer Admission
- Student cannot defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Early Decision Deadline
- Early Decision Notification
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Recommended for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- Other
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 87% of 880 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 87% of 880 applicants were admitted
- Men
- Not reported
- Students Enrolled
- 189 (25%) of 764 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 173 (23%) of 764 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 16 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- Students Admitted From Wait List
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.72
- 3.75 and Above
- 56%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 12%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 14%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 8%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 9%
- 2.00 - 2.49
- 1%
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 460-540 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 0%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 3%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 47%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 41%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 9%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 520 average
490-580 range of middle 50% - Score of 700 - 800
- 0%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 16%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 50%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 25%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 9%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 20 average
17-21 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 3%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 14%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 56%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 27%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 9%
Top quarter: 34%
Top half: 72% - National Merit Scholar
- Not reported
- Valedictorian
- Not reported
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $33,170
- Tuition and Fees
- $19,500
- Room and Board
- $7,900
- Books and Supplies
- $1,182
- Other Expenses
- $4,438
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline March 15
- Award Notification
- On a rolling basis beginning April 1
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal Methodology
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 003430 |
Free |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 240 (92.0%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 199 (82.9%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 199 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 142 (71.4%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 82%
- Average Award
- $21,723
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 195 (98.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $8,309
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 141 (70.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,015
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 131 (65.8%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 52 (19.9%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $9,656
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 794 (88.9%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 698 (87.9%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 695 (99.6%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 310 (44.6%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 70%
- Average Award
- $20,052
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 669 (96.3%) of aid recipients, average amount $8,495
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 548 (78.8%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,455
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 262 (37.7%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 152 (17.0%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $7,775
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 87%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $25,333
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 9.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- 9.0%
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Available
- Other Loans
- South Carolina Teacher Loans, United Methodist Student Loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- Academic scholarships, Creative arts/performance scholarships, Special achievements/activities, Special characteristics (minority, religious affiliation, other scholarships)
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Biological Sciences, Business, Communication, Education, English, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Mathematics, Religion/Biblical Studies
- Number of Awards
- 736
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Applied Art and Design, Art/Fine Arts, Dance, Music
- Number of Awards
- 108
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Leadership
- Number of Awards
- 199
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children of Faculty/Staff, Relatives of Clergy
- Number of Awards
- 22
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $1,000
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Accounting
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
- Chemistry, General
- Community Organization and Advocacy
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
- Dance, General
- Drama and Dance Teacher Education
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Education, General
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
- Fashion Merchandising
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- Fire Science/Fire-fighting
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Hospitality Administration/Management, General
- Human Development and Family Studies, General
- International Business/Trade/Commerce
- Journalism, Other
- Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Mathematics, General
- Music, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Psychology, General
- Public Health Education and Promotion
- Public Health, General
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
- Social Work
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services, Communication/journalism, Education
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- None
- Special Programs
- Student-designed major, Distance learning, Double major, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- Some online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 55
- Part-Time Faculty
- 54
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 38%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 28% of classes
10-19 students: 47% of classes
20-29 students: 24% of classes
30-39 students: 1% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- Not reported
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Not accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 128,486
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 165
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Education, Master of Arts
Master's Programs of Study
- Education--General
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education
- Organizational Management
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Not reported
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Not reported
Location and Setting
- Columbia Population
- 133,358
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Campus Size
- 59 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 32.1 average low in January, 88.8 average high in September
- Rain
- 110 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- Columbia
- Nearest Train Station
- Columbia
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Women only housing
- Students in College Housing
- 29% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 49%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Mascot
- Koalas
- School Colors
- Purple and white
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Golf | x | x | ||
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | x | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Basketball | x | x |
Cross-Country Running | x | x |
Golf | x | x |
Lacrosse | x | x |
Soccer | x | x |
Softball | x | x |
Swimming And Diving | x | x |
Tennis | x | x |
Track And Field | x | x |
Volleyball | x | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Basketball | ||
Cross-Country Running | ||
Golf | ||
Lacrosse | ||
Soccer | ||
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | ||
Tennis | ||
Track And Field | ||
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- Men's Club Sports
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, student newspaper
- Sororities
- Fraternities
- ROTC
- Army ROTC is offered off campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Mostly women
- All Undergraduates
- 1,379
- Women
- 1,025 (74.3%)
- Men
- 354 (25.7%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 802
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.8% American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.7% Asian
34.0% Black/African-American
3.7% Hispanic/Latino
3.3% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
56.1% White
1.3% Unknown - International Students.
- 3.1% from 21 countries
- Average Age
- 29
- All Graduate Students
- 134
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 71.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 45.6%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 49.2%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 49.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 93%
- Average Starting Salary
- 93%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
- Disciplines Pursued
- Not reported
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2019 Peterson's, a Nelnet company. All rights reserved."