Columbia College - SC

Columbia College features both online and in-person programs. The school's campus is located in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, where the majority of students study. According to federal data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 38% of the overall undergraduate study body engages exclusively in online education at Columbia College. Remote students can explore a dozen fully online degrees in a wide array of subjects, such as business, healthcare, and psychology — in addition to certificates and minor programs.

In order to know if Columbia College is a legitimate school, it's best to first look at its accreditation status. An accredited school has been vetted by a third-party education agency to ensure it offers high quality programs. Specifically, Columbia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificates. 

Importantly, OnlineU only features accredited colleges on its site.

Columbia College is best known for its flexible program offerings. As mentioned, several completely online degrees and certificates are available for remote students from all 50 states. Local students can also participate in evening degree programs that they can earn around their professional schedules. 

Another unique aspect of Columbia College is its Institute for Building Resilience through Trauma-Informed Practices (I-BRTIP). Here students can earn an online master's degree and certificate, which explore the issues surrounding socially-induced trauma, including areas of study such as systemic racism, humane law enforcement, and economic equity. 

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, as cited above, shows that the highest earning degree at Columbia College is the online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science, which can also be taken as a Bachelor of Arts. Three years after graduation, students can expect to earn a median annual salary of ~$51,600. The second highest earning degree is the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, with an expected annual median salary of ~$48,200.

OnlineU's Salary Score is another helpful way to estimate potential earnings. This proprietary metric compares the salaries of alumni from different schools using the same degree programs. On a 1 to 100 scale, Columbia College scores 71 at the bachelor's level and 38 at the master's level.

Columbia SC is often called Cola as an abbreviated name for the city. The nickname has become so popular among the locals that it has expanded to also include the moniker of Soda City. Now, newspapers, transit lines, and markets have all adopted the Soda City and Cola nicknames.

Columbia College is easier to get into than many other colleges of its size. College Scorecard shows the school as having a 97% acceptance rate. This means that as long as students meet the basic application requirements, they will likely be accepted into the program of their choice. Plus, there are no application fees.

Applying to college at Columbia is a straightforward process. First-year students intending to study in the evening must prove they've maintained a 2.0 GPA during high school. Also, students must complete the following steps to apply as an online undergraduate:

• Fill out Columbia College's free online application.
• Submit a personal essay if the applicant does not meet the GPA minimum requirements. 
• Submit high school transcripts. (An unofficial copy will suffice for the application process, but the school must receive an official transcript directly from the school before a student can attend class.)
• Students may also submit recommendations from counselors or teachers. 
• College entrance exams are optional. However, those applying for a scholarship must submit their SAT or ACT scores.

Keep in mind that first-year students have to submit different documents than transfer or readmission students. However, the GPA minimum requirement remains the same. Students pursuing the Criminal Justice, Disaster and Emergency Management, and RN to BSN programs must submit additional documentation per the individual program requirements.