Colleges in Columbia, Maryland
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Columbia, Maryland (1 Public, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $22,720 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 46.2%.
The median net price in Columbia runs about $5,307 higher than the Maryland statewide median of $17,413.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Columbia, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$22,720
After aid
Median grad rate
46.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
Not available
Median enrollment
3,954
Undergrad
All colleges in Columbia
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Community College Columbia, MD | MD | Public, 2-year | $11,133 | 24.0% | Not available | 6,649 | Partial | |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia Columbia, MD | MD | Private for-profit, 2-year | $34,306 | 68.4% | Not available | 1,258 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in Columbia are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Howard Community CollegeNet price: $11,133Grad: 24.0%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Columbia operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Lincoln College of Technology-ColumbiaNet price: $34,306Grad: 68.4%
Top programs in Columbia
Most-completed programs across Columbia colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts45.6% of degrees
- Health professions18.9% of degrees
- Business9.3% of degrees
- Engineering tech5.9% of degrees
- Mechanic & repair4.7% of degrees
- Construction trades3.6% of degrees
- Computer science3.1% of degrees
- Personal services2.9% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Columbia
Q.How many colleges are in Columbia, Maryland?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Columbia, Maryland that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Columbia?
By undergraduate enrollment, Howard Community College is the largest institution in Columbia with roughly 6,649 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Columbia?
Based on average net price after aid, Howard Community College is the most affordable institution in Columbia at $11,133 per year.
Q.Which Columbia college has the highest graduation rate?
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Columbia institutions at 68.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Columbia?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Columbia is $22,720 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Columbia?
Across Columbia colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Columbia?
Yes — Columbia includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Maryland
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Columbia that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.