Columbus State University

www.columbusstate.edu

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    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $4,488
    2.68% growth from 2023
    2024 Average Net Price
    $12,420
    After Financial Aid
    2024 Acceptance Rate
    99.1%
    3,648 Applicants
    2024 Enrolled Students
    7,913
    60.2% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    43%
    401 Graduates

    About

    Columbus State University is a higher education institution located in Muscogee County, GA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Columbus State University were Registered Nursing (113 degrees awarded), General Health Services (67 degrees), and General Communication (63 degrees).

    In 2024, 1,716 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbus State University. 60.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 39.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (849 degrees), 1.59 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (535 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Columbus State University is $4,488, which is $−19,512 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMasters Colleges and Universities

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Columbus State University is $4,488, which is $19,512 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,420.

    In 2024, 76% of undergraduate students attending Columbus State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 38% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $4,488
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbus State University was $4,488. The cost of tuition at Columbus State University is $−19,512 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Columbus State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

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    Average Net Price

    $12,420
    2024 Value
    9.1%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Columbus State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,420. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Columbus State University grew by 9.1%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Columbus State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

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    Other Student Expenses

    $10,692
    Room and Board
    $1,600
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbus State University was of $10,692 in 2024. The cost of room and board decreased by 9.78% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,600. The cost of books and supplies increased by 9.59% during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Columbus State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

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    Financial Aid by Income Level

    76%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    38%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    76% of undergraduate students at Columbus State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 17.4% with respect to 2023, when 92% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Columbus State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

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    Admissions

    Columbus State University received 3,648 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 2.76% annual growth. Out of those 3,648 applicants, 3,616 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 99.1% acceptance rate.

    There were 7,913 students enrolled at Columbus State University in 2024. 14% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    Columbus State University has an overall enrollment yield of 31.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

    Acceptance Rate

    99.1%
    Acceptance Rate in 2024
    3,616
    Accepted Out of 3,648

    In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Columbus State University was 99.1% (3,616 admissions from 3,648 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 99.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 2.76%, while admissions grew by 2.64%.

    This chart compares the acceptance rate of Columbus State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

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    SAT Scores

    14%
    Submission Percentage (2024)
    157
    Scores Submitted (2024)

    14% of enrolled first-time students at Columbus State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

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    Enrollment

    Columbus State University had a total enrollment of 7,913 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Columbus State University is 4,761 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,152. This means that 60.2% of students enrolled at Columbus State University are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Columbus State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 42.7% White, 35.9% Black or African American, 8.69% Hispanic or Latino, 4.68% Two or More Races, 2.6% Asian, 0.278% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Columbus State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Black or African American Female (23.5%), followed by White Female (22.8%) and White Male (17.5%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (26.2%), followed by Black or African American Female (24.1%) and White Male (16.4%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    60.2%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Columbus State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 7,913 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbus State University is 4,761 and the part-time enrollment is 3,152. This means that 60.2% of students enrolled at Columbus State University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Columbus State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Retention Rate over Time

    70%
    2024 Retention Rate

    Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Columbus State University was 70%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Columbus State University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Columbus State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      3,382 enrolled students
    2. Black or African American
      2,839 enrolled students
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      688 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Columbus State University is 42.7% White, 35.9% Black or African American, 8.69% Hispanic or Latino, 4.68% Two or More Races, 2.6% Asian, 0.278% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.101% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 239 students (3.02%) did not report their race.

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    Graduates

    In 2024, 352 more women than men received degrees from Columbus State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Columbus State University is white (849 degrees awarded). There were 1.59 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (535 degrees).

    The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Columbus State University is Registered Nursing (113 degrees awarded), followed by General Health Services (67 degrees) and General Communication (63 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Columbus State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Protective Services (221 degrees awarded), Education (276 degrees), and History (25 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Elementary & middle school teachers
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbus State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,651,985 people), Secondary school teachers (581,298 people), Other managers (376,611 people), Education administrators (331,089 people), and Special education teachers (218,892 people).

    The most specialized majors at Columbus State University in 2024 are Protective Services (221 degrees awarded), Education (276 degrees), History (25 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (121 degrees), and Communications (72 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbus State University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

    The most specialized majors at Columbus State University are Protective Services (221 degrees awarded), Education (276 degrees), History (25 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (121 degrees), and Communications (72 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Common Industries by Major

    Elementary & secondary schools
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbus State University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,135,968 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (536,998 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (431,450 people), Computer Systems Design (292,172 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (267,146 people).

    The most specialized majors at Columbus State University are Protective Services (221 degrees awarded), Education (276 degrees), History (25 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (121 degrees), and Communications (72 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Columbus State University.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
      79 degrees awarded
    2. Other Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, & Related Protective Services
      13 degrees awarded
    3. Computer & Information Systems Security
      8 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate concentration at Columbus State University was Criminal Justice - Safety Studies with 79 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate programs at Columbus State University according to their major.

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    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    682
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    1,034
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 682 degrees were awarded to men at Columbus State University, which is 0.66 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,034).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Columbus State University by degrees awarded.

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    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 136 degrees were awarded to men at Columbus State University in Criminal Justice - Safety Studies, which is 1.89 times more than the 72 female recipients with that same degree.

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    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 93 degrees were awarded to men at Columbus State University in Registered Nursing, which is 4.43 times more than the 21 male recipients with that same degree.

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    Time to Complete

    23%
    100% Completion Time
    44%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 23% of students graduating from Columbus State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 44% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 48% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      849 degrees awarded
    2. Black or African American
      535 degrees awarded
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      138 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Columbus State University is white (849 degrees awarded). There were 1.59 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (535 degrees).

    1.34% of degree recipients (23 students) did not report their race.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Female
      605 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      600 degrees awarded
    3. White Female
      558 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbus State University is white female (605 degrees awarded). There were 1.01 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (600 degrees).

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    Operations

    Columbus State University has an endowment valued at nearly $104M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 2.12M (2.04%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

    In 2024, Columbus State University had a total salary expenditure of 127M. Columbus State University employs 102 Professors, 75 Associate professors and 44 Assistant professors. Most academics at Columbus State University are Male Professor (57), Female Professor (45), and Male Associate professor (43).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbus State University are: Management, with 97 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 77 employees, and Service with 65 employees.

    Endowment

    $104M
    2024 Endowment
    9.2%
    growth from 2023

    Columbus State University has an endowment valued at about $104M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Columbus State University grew 9.2% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $58.4M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Columbus State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

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    Government Grants and Contracts

    Grants & Contracts
    1. $1.8M - Federal
    2. $161k - State
    3. $2.08k - Local

    As of 2024, Columbus State University received $1.8M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $161k from state grants and contracts, and $2.08k from local grants and contracts.

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    Salary Expenditure

    $55.2M
    2024 Salaries
    1.19%
    growth from 2023

    In 2024, Columbus State University paid a median of $55.2M in salaries, which represents 43.5% of their overall expenditure ($127M) and a 1.19% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.69% decline between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.94% growth between 2021 and 2022.

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    Instructional Salaries

    $24.9M
    Instructional Salaries
    296
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Columbus State University paid a total of $24.9M to 296 employees working as instructors, which represents 45.1% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

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    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbus State University were Management with 97 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 77 employees, and Service with 65 employees.

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