Columbia College is a private for-profit institution offering associate degrees based in Vienna, Virginia. It enrolls 151 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
73/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes89
Value31
Affordability49
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, Columbia College generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Columbia College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $10,171 per year. That's below the typical net price for private for-profit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$10,171
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
34%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
16%
Borrowing to attend
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,042
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,246
$48,001 – $75,000
$11,163
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,10825%percentile
$7,940Medianpercentile
$7,72375%percentile
What this means:
34% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
69% of full-time students who enrolled at Columbia College graduate within six years, and 81% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
81%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Columbia College earn a median of $22,160 ten years after first enrolling. That's below the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$22,160
Earning > $25K
39%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$2.2 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
Columbia College is home to 151 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 65% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
151
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
65%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
International 55.6%84
Asian 24.5%37
White 15.9%24
Hispanic 2.0%3
Black 2.0%3
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Columbia College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbVienna, Virginia
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
85%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Continuousscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Columbia College offers
a focused set of programs:
7 distinct programs across
6 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Columbia College is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$24,750
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Pros & Cons of Columbia College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Columbia College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Open admissions
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Above-average graduation rate
Low typical debt at graduation
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average post-graduation earnings
For-profit institution, verify accreditation and outcomes carefully
Best for:
Based on the data, Columbia College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Columbia College.
Is Columbia College hard to get into?
Columbia College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College?
Columbia College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Columbia College cost?
The average net price after aid at Columbia College is $10,171 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Columbia College worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $22,160 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $10,171 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Columbia College known for?
Columbia College is best known for its programs in Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Columbia College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Columbia College are $22,160, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Columbia College accredited?
Yes. Columbia College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
How many students attend Columbia College?
Columbia College enrolls 151 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia College?
Columbia College graduates 69% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Columbia College a public or private college?
Columbia College is a Private For-Profit institution.
Where is Columbia College located?
Columbia College is located in Vienna, Virginia.
What programs does Columbia College offer?
Columbia College offers 7 distinct programs. The most popular include Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Columbia College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Columbia College is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Virginia
Other colleges in Virginia share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Biological and Physical Sciences
Related Guides
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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