Colleges in Columbia, South Carolina
12 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 12 colleges and universities in Columbia, South Carolina (7 Private for-profit, 4 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). 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 12 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $20,404 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 45.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 94% of applicants.
The median net price in Columbia runs about $3,763 higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $16,641.
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
$20,404
After aid
Median grad rate
45.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
94%
Median enrollment
576
Undergrad
All colleges in Columbia
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Public, 4-year | $22,811 | 78.8% | 60% | 29,820 | Complete | |
| Benedict College Columbia, SC | SC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $18,250 | 24.3% | 96% | 1,536 | Complete | |
| Columbia College Columbia, SC | SC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $18,408 | 36.9% | 94% | 1,343 | Complete | |
| Columbia International University Columbia, SC | SC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $26,036 | 46.8% | 94% | 716 | Complete | |
| Fortis College-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, 2-year | $20,404 | 43.4% | Not available | 582 | Partial | |
| Allen University Columbia, SC | SC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $10,972 | 13.3% | 73% | 576 | Complete | |
| South University-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, 4-year | $27,693 | 23.3% | Not available | 450 | Complete | |
| Southeastern College-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, 2-year | $31,941 | 66.7% | 97% | 267 | Complete | |
| Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $17,337 | 53.8% | Not available | 127 | Partial | |
| Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $14,519 | 83.9% | Not available | 64 | Partial | |
| Barber Tech Academy-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $26,281 | Not available | Not available | 51 | Partial | |
| ECPI University-Columbia Columbia, SC | SC | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | 75% | Not available | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (7)
Private for-profit colleges in Columbia operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Fortis College-ColumbiaNet price: $20,404Grad: 43.4%
- South University-ColumbiaNet price: $27,693Grad: 23.3%
- Southeastern College-ColumbiaNet price: $31,941Grad: 66.7%
- Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-ColumbiaNet price: $17,337Grad: 53.8%
- Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-ColumbiaNet price: $14,519Grad: 83.9%
- Barber Tech Academy-ColumbiaNet price: $26,281Grad: Not available
- ECPI University-ColumbiaNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private nonprofit (4)
Private nonprofit colleges in Columbia are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Benedict CollegeNet price: $18,250Grad: 24.3%
- Columbia CollegeNet price: $18,408Grad: 36.9%
- Columbia International UniversityNet price: $26,036Grad: 46.8%
- Allen UniversityNet price: $10,972Grad: 13.3%
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.
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaNet price: $22,811Grad: 78.8%
Top programs in Columbia
Most-completed programs across Columbia colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business23.4% of degrees
- Health professions14.2% of degrees
- Biological sciences9.9% of degrees
- Psychology6.1% of degrees
- Communication5.9% of degrees
- Engineering5.3% of degrees
- Social sciences5.3% of degrees
- Parks & recreation4.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Columbia
Q.How many colleges are in Columbia, South Carolina?
There are 12 colleges and universities in Columbia, South Carolina that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 7 Private for-profit, 4 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Columbia?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of South Carolina-Columbia is the largest institution in Columbia with roughly 29,820 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Columbia?
Based on average net price after aid, Allen University is the most affordable institution in Columbia at $10,972 per year.
Q.Which Columbia college has the highest graduation rate?
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Columbia reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Columbia institutions at 83.9%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Columbia?
The median net price across all 12 colleges in Columbia is $20,404 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 Business, Health professions, Biological sciences.
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 South Carolina
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.